The organisation’s chief executive, Felix Pintado, announced the development program, which will include 840 new aged care beds across six sites in regional Victoria over the next two and a half years, this week.

Construction of the Bendigo facility in Alder Street, Kangaroo Flat, is nearing completion, to be followed by the four other sites at Bacchus Marsh, Moe, Benalla and Langwarrin.

Five of the sites will provide 144 aged care beds each and one site is planned for 120 beds.

Mr Pintado said that the ambitious project, which coincides with the organisation’s 150th year of operation as a not-for-profit provider in Victoria, would enable the Royal Freemasons to deliver its strategic growth plan for 2013-2018 and set the foundations for its next advance as a sector leader.

He said the six high-quality, purpose-built facilities would bring the total number of aged care beds operated by Royal Freemasons across 17 sites in Victoria to almost 2000.

“The development program is a win-win on many levels,” he said.

“The services provided will help to address the growing need for quality aged care and accommodation among a broader group of elders in each of the local communities and the surrounding districts.”

Mr Pintado said the the projects would also create jobs for local workers, both during and after the construction period.

“As the facilities become operational, new jobs will come on-line providing work for hundreds of aged care and allied health workers on an ongoing basis, recruitment for the facility in Bendigo has already commenced,” he said.

“The deliberate strategy has afforded Royal Freemasons a unique opportunity to establish a strong presence in rural and regional Victoria to complement its already substantial presence in metropolitan Melbourne.

“It means that we can play an increasing role in the future and growth of these communities.”