A FORMER employee of the Hillside Haven Aged Care facility that was shut down in April, Vicki May, said the community of Collinsville was "very interested” to hear council's plans for the facility.

The beleaguered nursing home was thrown a lifeline by Whitsunday Regional Council last week after it was put up for auction.

Council has offered to buy the facility but warned the former business model was "not viable” and said they would be looking at "options” to make it a sustainable community asset.

Ms May said the once community-owned facility was aware of this after the takeover of the home by D&R Community Services.

"We knew that the former business model was not viable and staff had been saying for years that more needed to be done to make it viable,” she said.

Ms May described the possible bail-out by council as "wonderful news”.

"It's given us something to work with and we are very interested to see the business plan. The town is very keen to know what they are going to do with it,” she said. The offer to buy the Collinsville aged care facility has been accepted by receivers and the building is now under contract.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said the council's offer was well below the reserve at auction but the amount was confidential until the sale officially settled.

"Council is keen to explore all options for the facility to assist the aged community at Collinsville,” he said.

The former residents of Hillside Haven were housed at Maroona Gardens in Bowen after the aged care facility shut down in April and Ms May was unsure if it was possible to move them back to Collinsville.

"It will depend on how long its going to take; if we can and they are physically able but we would love to get them back.

"(However) the level of care may be at such a level that the hostel may not be able to cater to their level of need,” she said.