Warrawee Community is our sole 90-bed residential aged care facility in Bentleigh East. The decision was made at the 9 June Council meeting and reflects careful consideration of what matters most to the Glen Eira community, alongside significant changes across the aged care sector and long-term financial considerations.  

Warrawee Community is not closing. Residential aged care will continue at the site, and there are no immediate changes to care, staffing or day-to-day operations.  

This means we will begin a formal Expression of Interest and Request for Tender process to identify providers with the experience and capability to deliver high-quality aged care.  

Why this decision was made 

This decision reflects what we heard from residents, families, staff and the broader community as we reviewed our role in providing residential aged care, alongside changes across the aged care sector and our responsibility to plan for the future and deliver services in a sustainable way for the whole community. 

Through this process, we heard that continuity of care, trusted relationships with staff, and access to local aged care services are highly valued — and are central to the experience of many residents and families. We also heard that people expect Council to make fair, transparent decisions that consider both the needs of vulnerable residents and the long-term sustainability of services for the whole community.  

Residential aged care is also changing across Australia, with new national reforms increasing expectations for care, safety and accountability. While these changes improve outcomes for residents, they also increase the complexity and cost of delivering services — particularly for smaller providers like councils. Warrawee Community is also forecast to operate at an annual loss of around $5.5 million in the 2026–27 financial year. 

For more information about the engagement process, visit www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/aged-care  

What happens next 

We will begin an Expression of Interest and Request for Tender process to identify potential providers. Providers will be assessed against clear requirements, including quality of care and continuity. 

A further Council decision will be required before any transfer goes ahead and any transfer would also be subject to approval by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. 

For more information and updates, visit www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/aged-care