To mark the start of our $22M redevelopment of Yeltana and Copperhouse Court Residential Care Homes, Helping Hand held a milestone event at Yeltana on Thursday 5 March 2026. Respected local Barngarla elder Yvonne Abdulla opened the event with a traditional Welcome to Country, with residents, families and community members attending.
Whyalla is experiencing a high demand for aged care, and this development will ensure that more residents have access to quality care locally. The project includes the addition of eight new residential care rooms, six at Copperhouse Court and two at Yeltana.
Beyond the new rooms the development also includes upgraded resident rooms and amenities, new flexible spaces for dining and activities as well as enhanced outdoor areas. The long-term benefits of this upgrade are immense as Helping Hand remains the only residential care provider in Whyalla and one of the biggest employers.
Mr Chris Stewart, Helping Hand’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “After much consideration and careful planning, we are delighted to see this redevelopment get underway. Thanks to the support of the Australian government, we are expanding our services and ensuring that more Whyalla residents can age in place, close to their family and community.”
Helping Hand has appointed Kennett Builders to deliver the project, having worked successfully with them on previous regional developments in Jamestown and Port Pirie. Kennett Builders has appointed a local site manager, Ben Butler.
General Manager of Kennett Builders, Anthony Carbone said, “We’re committed to maximising local trade involvement on this project, creating genuine opportunities for businesses in Whyalla and across the Eyre Peninsula. Strong local partnerships are critical to the success of this development. To date, 25 per cent of engaged trades are registered in Whyalla, rising to almost 40 per cent when including the broader Eyre Peninsula region.”
Given the scale of these improvements, works at Yeltana and Copperhouse Court will run consecutively to allow project completion as efficiently as possible. Copperhouse Court is expected to be completed by August 2026, with the Yeltana redevelopment continuing for approximately two years.
Photo (L-R): Phill Stone – Mayor of Whyalla City Council, Chris Stewart – Helping Hand Chief Executive Officer, Samantha Giorgatzis – Helping Hand Executive Manager People, Strategy & Engagement, James Kennett – Director Kennett Builders, Eddie Hughes – MP State Member for Giles
