Construction Gets Underway on $25.6 million Whiddon Temora Redevelopment

Whiddon’s major redevelopment has moved from plans to construction, securing the future of residential aged care for older people in Temora and the surrounding region.

2 November 2026

Temora, NSW - 3rd November 2026

Construction is officially underway on Whiddon’s $25.6 million aged care redevelopment at Temora, with early building works progressing and residents now able to watch construction of the home take shape through a newly installed viewing panel.

The major project marks a significant milestone for not-for-profit aged care provider Whiddon, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to investing in the future of aged care in regional communities.

Supported by a $19.5 million Australian Government grant through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP), the ACCAP-funded project will deliver a new residential aged care building providing 54 residential aged care beds at Narraburra Lodge.

Separately, Whiddon is funding an extension to the Harmony Wing Memory Support Home, delivering an additional four beds. Together, the redevelopment will add a total of 58 beds to Narraburra Lodge, increasing its overall capacity to 96 places once complete.

The expansion will help meet the growing demand for residential aged care in Temora, supporting the region’s ageing population and ensuring more older people can access quality care close to home, where alternative providers are limited.

Work on the new building is progressing, with retaining wall construction, slab and footing preparations, and the lift base among the early construction milestones. The project is scheduled to continue through 2027, with further stages of work planned across the existing home.

Whiddon CEO Chris Mamarelis said it was exciting to see the project progressing from plans to construction, representing a significant investment in the future of aged care in the region.

“Seeing construction underway is an exciting milestone for Whiddon and the Temora community. This is so much more than a new building; it’s about investing in the future of aged care locally and ensuring older people can continue to receive quality care close to home.

He continues, “Regional communities deserve access to contemporary aged care that supports residents’ needs while preserving the relationships and connections that make a place feel like home. We’re proud to be progressing this project and look forward to seeing the next stages take shape.”

The panel gives residents a view of the building site, allowing them to watch construction activity and see progress unfold day by day. Residents can also access live construction updates via webcam from their rooms. The initiative is one way Whiddon is keeping residents connected to the redevelopment as it progresses, helping them follow the changes taking place in their own community.

With the support of the ACCAP funding, Whiddon is undertaking a series of upgrades to the existing Narraburra Lodge home to modernise the home and prepare the site for the next stages of redevelopment.

The next major milestone is an upgrade of the existing home's main entrance and reception area, scheduled from Late October 2026 to Mid-January 2027. The works will include a new covered entrance, refreshed reception area and improvements to the office areas.

Further upgrades to the existing Narraburra Lodge home are planned across 2027, including changes to dining arrangements and refurbishment of back-of-house and support facilities. These staged works will support the broader transformation of Narraburra Lodge while the home continues to care for its residents

Whiddon is funding the redevelopment and extension of the Harmony Wing Memory Support Home, currently scheduled to begin in November 2027.

The redevelopment builds on Whiddon’s commitment to providing quality, relationship-based care in regional communities, where access to residential aged care can be limited. Whiddon is the only residential aged care provider in Temora, with the nearest alternative residential aged care home more than 70 kilometres away.

For Temora and surrounding communities, the project represents an important investment in contemporary aged care infrastructure and the ability of older people to remain close to family, friends and familiar surroundings as their care needs change.

For updates, construction progress photos and information about upcoming works, visit www.whiddon.com.au/temora-redevelopment

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About Whiddon

Whiddon is an award-winning care provider that aims to inspire every day across its residential aged care homes, community care and NDIS services throughout NSW and Southeast Queensland.

For more than 75 years, Whiddon has provided care and support to older Australians and people living with disability across regional, rural and remote communities.

Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities to remain at the forefront of innovation, leading new thinking, programs and training around quality of life and ageing.