Two decades have passed and the Harrington community near Taree are no closer to obtaining an aged care facility.

The matter rests against a backdrop of public discontent at the amount of time it’s taken to establish an aged care service in Harrington.

The Greater Taree City Council is now conducting a survey on the issue, asking if an aged care facility is needed.

At the same time, expressions of interesting in providing such a facility are being sought.

One resident believes that the Independent Commission Against Corruption should get involved simply to allay public concerns about the Council’s handling of the issue.

Bob Smith, a member of the Harrington Community Action Group, has said that “councillors have not been made fully aware of the underlying history and path of this project”, adding that the issue is being ‘stifled’

“This long-winded aged care and nursing home facility anticipated for Harrington since the 1990s or earlier needs some urgent independent scrutiny, media attention and surely a government inquiry (I suggest ICAC) into the whole messy, and in my opinion suspicious council land deal process,” Mr Smith said.