Ms Lovell joined representatives from Wintringham Housing, Mount Alexander Shire Council and tenants to open the new Alexander Miller Home.

“It’s a pleasure to be in Castlemaine for the official opening of these wonderful new homes,” Ms Lovell said.

“I was in Maryborough earlier this year to open twelve similar independent living units and saw the benefits this style of accommodation offers to elderly people’s lives.

“The new homes, which replace ten ageing units on the same site, are purpose-built for elderly and frail residents and accommodates carers.”

The units have been designed to accommodate "ageing in place" and feature landscaped environments that have wheelchair accessible pathways and entrances, solar hot water and double-window glazing to reduce energy costs.