Respect’s Regional Reach Grows: Two Major Expansions in One Week

Respect is set to strengthen its presence in regional New South Wales, announcing plans to integrate three aged care homes and three retirement villages currently operated by NVC in the Nambucca and Macleay Valleys on the state’s mid-north coast.

After last week’s news that Regional Care Australia will join the organisation, this latest acquisition caps off a busy week for Respect. In a matter of days, Respect has welcomed two major regional providers into its fold in what is a clear signal of the intent behind its mission to expand and safeguard aged care services in Australia’s heartland.

This acquisition will bring the total to 12 new homes this year for the fast-growing provider. It follows recent expansions into communities in Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, cementing Respect’s position as one of Australia’s largest regional aged care providers.

CEO and Managing Director Jason Binder noted that Respect now has the scale to deliver regional aged care sustainably while keeping residents at the centre of its vision.

“Our model supports regional aged care homes and retirement villages at scale, prioritising high-quality care and long-term sustainability. While we operate nationally, we remain a dedicated group of people focused on ensuring older Australians in regional areas have access to the care they deserve. Our size gives us the resources and expertise to operate efficiently, but our heart remains firmly with the people we support every day.”

“For us it’s never been about just getting bigger, it’s about doing the right thing by the people that built this country and ensuring that there is always a place for them in their local community, close to family,” he said.

The announcement comes at a time when many smaller, regional providers are struggling to deliver their mission in a way that is sustainable. NVC Group Chair, Janine Reed noted, “as NVC ceases to be a provider of retirement villages and residential aged care, this vacuum will be capably filled by another not-for-profit, charitable aged care provider, Respect.”

“Respect has a similar value set to NVC,” said Mrs Reed. “I am confident that Respect has demonstrated capacity and integrity to strengthen the delivery of high quality residential aged care and retirement villages in the Nambucca and Macleay Valleys for its older residents and significant others.”

“Respect is an entity with a much larger footprint on the eastern seaboard of Australia and, importantly, a particular focus on excellence in the delivery of residential aged care and retirement villages in rural Australia. It has the financial and governance structure to support the retention and growth of residential aged care and retirement living services in the Nambucca and Macleay valleys. They bring a wealth of experience that will enhance the capabilities of Riverside Gardens, Autumn Lodge and Cedar Place in residential aged care and progress development of retirement living, including Lakeside Gardens, Riverside Gardens and Fairway Gardens,” said Mrs Reed.

Mr Binder said the Nambucca Valley expansion builds on NVC’s long-standing contribution to the community and mirrors Respect’s commitment to investing in regional aged care.

“Respect is deeply committed to rural and regional communities. This expansion allows us to preserve and strengthen essential aged care and retirement services in the Nambucca Valley, while continuing NVC’s legacy of locally driven support,” Mr Binder said.

NVC’s origin story is similar to most of the homes at Respect – ordinary people working together to ensure older Australians could remain connected to their towns, families and way of life.

NVC was founded by locals who believed older people should never have to leave their community to receive the care they need. That same belief is what drives Respect. Our homes were also built by people who wanted to make sure their parents and grandparents could age with dignity, close to family in the communities that they helped to build. Bringing NVC into the Respect family means that proud community tradition will not only continue but be strengthened for future generations.

The transfer will be carried out through a carefully managed transition designed to ensure continuity of care for residents and security for current staff.