Merriwa Grove residents officially abandoned, McCurdy claims

By Gabriel Garcia

Jun 27, 2023

End of the line: Merriwa Grove resident of over 20 years Bruce Wren with members of his family. Mr Wren will be relocated when the facility closes at the end of the month.

State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has accused Disability, Ageing and Carers Minister Lizzie Blandthorn of abandoning Cobram’s Merriwa Grove facility residents.

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However, a Victorian Government spokesperson said that as Merriwa Grove was a privately operated facility it had no say in its operations.

“We understand that this is a challenging time for the residents of Merriwa Grove and their families,” the spokesperson said.

“The department has been and is continuing to work closely with Merriwa Industries, Haven Home Safe, the Community Visitors Program and local community and health providers to support residents during the closure.”

The Cobram facility, which houses about 20 residents, faces closure at the end of June due to no longer being able to turn a profit.

Mr McCurdy said he was bitterly disappointed that the state government would not be coming to the aid of residents.

“I am really disappointed that the minister has decided not to step in and keep the residents local, but send them away from their community, their homes,” Mr McCurdy said.

“The families have been crying out for help and for certainty, and instead we have been met with silence from the minister and department.”

Mr McCurdy is also demanding that the government come clean with its plans for the site.

“The minister must now come clean and tell the residents, the families and the community, what exactly the land will be used for,” he said.

“It would be a shame if the government were to lease it out to the highest bidder instead of looking after our most vulnerable.”