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Mount Gambier Supported Residential Facility Operators Plead Guilty to Eight Offences - Mount Gambier, SA
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Operators of Lambert Living admitted eight offences involving resident care, safety, medication, cleanliness and licensing requirements.
Operators of a supported residential facility in Mount Gambier have pleaded guilty to eight offences relating to the care, safety and wellbeing of residents.
The guilty pleas were entered in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week following enforcement action over concerns about standards at the facility, identified as Lambert Living.
The offences were prosecuted by the City of Mount Gambier under South Australia's Supported Residential Facilities Act. Local councils have responsibility for administering and enforcing compliance at licensed supported residential facilities, with the aim of ensuring appropriate standards of care and protection for residents.
The eight offences covered a range of alleged compliance failures. They included failing to provide adequate and safe nutrition, failing to maintain the facility to a safe and accessible standard, and failing to appropriately manage medication.
Other offences involved the standard of cleanliness at the facility, operating without a valid supported residential facility licence, employing staff without the required Department for Child Protection clearances before they began work, and failing to employ an appropriately qualified site manager.
The council said it had identified serious and ongoing compliance concerns during 2025 and had worked with the facility's proprietors and management to address the issues through regulatory processes.
According to the council, corrective action was not considered sufficient, leading authorities to progressively increase enforcement measures. The facility's licence eventually expired and was not renewed.
The council said the facility subsequently continued operating without a valid licence, prompting the prosecution.
Council chief executive Paul Simpson said the court outcome reinforced the importance of maintaining appropriate standards when organisations are responsible for vulnerable residents. He said the council's priority throughout the matter had been the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.
The case also highlights the regulatory responsibilities involved in operating supported residential accommodation. Facilities providing this type of care must meet legislative requirements covering areas such as staffing, medication management, food, cleanliness, accessibility and general resident safety.
The proprietors entered guilty pleas to all eight offences on Friday. The court has not yet determined the penalty.
Magistrate Kylie Schulz has reserved the decision on the penalty, which is scheduled to be handed down on September 24.
Meanwhile, the site may continue under a new operator. The City of Mount Gambier is currently assessing an application for a new supported residential facility licence from a prospective operator.
The application will be considered under the relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. The council has also indicated it will continue monitoring compliance to protect residents and ensure organisations providing supported residential care meet their legal and ethical responsibilities.
FacilityResidentialSupportedCouncilOffences
Operators of a supported residential facility in Mount Gambier have pleaded guilty to eight offences relating to the care, safety and wellbeing of residents.
The guilty pleas were entered in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week following enforcement action over concerns about standards at the facility, identified as Lambert Living.
The offences were prosecuted by the City of Mount Gambier under South Australia's Supported Residential Facilities Act. Local councils have responsibility for administering and enforcing compliance at licensed supported residential facilities, with the aim of ensuring appropriate standards of care and protection for residents.
The eight offences covered a range of alleged compliance failures. They included failing to provide adequate and safe nutrition, failing to maintain the facility to a safe and accessible standard, and failing to appropriately manage medication.
Other offences involved the standard of cleanliness at the facility, operating without a valid supported residential facility licence, employing staff without the required Department for Child Protection clearances before they began work, and failing to employ an appropriately qualified site manager.
The council said it had identified serious and ongoing compliance concerns during 2025 and had worked with the facility's proprietors and management to address the issues through regulatory processes.
According to the council, corrective action was not considered sufficient, leading authorities to progressively increase enforcement measures. The facility's licence eventually expired and was not renewed.
The council said the facility subsequently continued operating without a valid licence, prompting the prosecution.
Council chief executive Paul Simpson said the court outcome reinforced the importance of maintaining appropriate standards when organisations are responsible for vulnerable residents. He said the council's priority throughout the matter had been the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.
The case also highlights the regulatory responsibilities involved in operating supported residential accommodation. Facilities providing this type of care must meet legislative requirements covering areas such as staffing, medication management, food, cleanliness, accessibility and general resident safety.
The proprietors entered guilty pleas to all eight offences on Friday. The court has not yet determined the penalty.
Magistrate Kylie Schulz has reserved the decision on the penalty, which is scheduled to be handed down on September 24.
Meanwhile, the site may continue under a new operator. The City of Mount Gambier is currently assessing an application for a new supported residential facility licence from a prospective operator.
The application will be considered under the relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. The council has also indicated it will continue monitoring compliance to protect residents and ensure organisations providing supported residential care meet their legal and ethical responsibilities.
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