A sizeable investment by Carinity means their residential aged care homes are better prepared to maintain essential services when impacted by significant weather events.
Carinity has purchased a portable large-capacity diesel generator and trailer, which can provide 200 kilovolt-amperes of backup power during the loss of electricity.
Valued at $100,000, the heavy-duty machinery will be capable of supporting Carinity aged care sites around south-east Queensland when faced with a natural disaster or other crises.
Carinity Property Manager, Tony Evans, said the "strategic, cost-effective investment" would provide resilience against storms, floods, and bushfires and strengthen disaster recovery.
"This shared mobile asset gives Carinity flexibility across sites, reduces external dependency, and supports the organisation's commitment to safe, reliable, and uninterrupted care," Tony said.
"It will ensure Carinity can maintain power during outages with a mobile emergency generator, protecting resident safety, business continuity, and compliance across all facilities."
Tony said similar equipment is used for industrial and commercial purposes, such as in factories and manufacturing plants and powering heavy machinery on construction sites.
"Similar equipment can also supply reliable electricity for large outdoor events, including lighting and sound systems, and provide reliable backup during power outages for hospitals and other critical services," he said.
Tony said weather emergencies early in the year prompted Carinity's investment in the equipment. He knows first-hand how natural disasters can cause upheaval at aged care homes.
Laidley was cut off due to floodwaters caused by Cyclone Alfred. This event required a generator to be brought to site to maintain essential equipment and support critical services during the power outage.
Brenton McCallum, Property Supervisor at Carinity Karinya Place aged care in Laidley, welcomed the new diesel generator and trailer.
"We haven't experienced an immediate threat of flood water entering our buildings, there's always a sufficient supply of food and medication, and a full complement of staff to care for residents," he said.
"However, we hope that by investing in the new diesel generator this will further allay any concerns that family members may have when the next natural disaster comes around."
