Work to start on new Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre

• Early works are about to begin on the new Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre with main constructions works to begin early next year.
• The new centre will be conveniently located on the existing healthcare centre’s grounds, ensuring continued service availability throughout the construction phase.
• This project is part of the Miles Government’s more than $1 billion Building Rural and Remote Health Program.

Ground clearing and fencing at the site of the new Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) is about to begin ahead of the wet season in the state’s Far North.

The centre will boast a comprehensive range of services aimed at delivering better outcomes for the community and closing the health gap for indigenous Australians.

Minister For Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts Leeanne Enoch and Member for Cook Cynthia Lui visited the new site this week.

The emergency section will be equipped with a procedure and resuscitation room, a treatment room, mobile X-ray facilities, and a decontamination shower.

In addition, there will be six dedicated outpatient consult rooms, allowing for current and future demand, as well as the needs of visiting health partners such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

A dental suite with consultation and work areas, a pathology room for specimen collection, a medical records area and a new, culturally appropriate morgue will also be part of the new facility.

Accessibility and functionality are also prioritised, with features including  accessible toilets, staff offices with a meeting room, necessary storage rooms, and an enclosed ambulance bay.

Extensive community consultation and engagement was undertaken prior to the final design of the project, to ensure the new facility met all clinical and community needs. The project also will provide opportunities for local involvement and ongoing engagement during the construction period.

Full construction will get under way in early 2025, after the end of the coming wet season, with completion of the project expected by mid-2026, weather permitting.

Funded by the Miles Government’s more than $1 billion Building Rural and Remote Health Program, the new Pormpuraaw PHCC will offer world-class, modern facilities for the Cape York region.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles: 

“I know that quality healthcare close to home matters to Pormpuraaw, which is why we are delivering this Primary Health Care Centre.

“As Ministerial Champion for the region, the people of Pormpuraaw have told me local x-ray facilities, upgraded treatment spaces and dedicated spaces for visiting specialists are critical to their future.

“Cynthia Lui has worked hard to secure this for her community and she and I are both looking forward to seeing the centre come to life.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman

“This is an exciting milestone in this significant project that will deliver more healthcare for the Pormpuraaw community.

“The new facility will replace the existing centre, providing modern amenities for both patients and staff for years to come.

“We’re focused on continually improving the standard of healthcare in remote communities, and a key part of that is investing in the healthcare centres that deliver these vital services.

“The Miles Government is absolutely committed to building the modern health facilities Queenslanders need, now and into the future.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts Leeanne Enoch:

“The Miles Government is committed to achieving meaningful, measurable outcomes that increase social and economic equity and deliver better healthcare and close the gap on life outcomes for rural and remote communities such as Pormpuraaw.

“Those who live in remote communities are best placed to determine what services they need and the delivery models that best suit them.

“This is absolutely key to closing the gap in health outcomes for First Nations Australians. 

“With extensive community consultation and engagement undertaken with the Pormpuraaw community, the Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre design aims to reflect the unique needs of the community”.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:

“I am proud that we are able to deliver this significant program of works to improve healthcare for the Cape York region.

“The Miles Government’s investment in rural healthcare is delivering more care and more jobs for Queenslanders in every corner of our state.

“This will ensure enhanced healthcare options for residents of Pormpuraaw and the surrounding Cape York region.

“I am pleased to see local Far North Queensland builders, WIP Construction working with us to deliver such an important project for the Pormpuraaw community.

“In the longer term, our government is investing in six other new, updated and expanded primary health care centres in Bamaga, Laura and Lockhart River, as well as on Badu, Boigu, and Ngurupai (Horn) Islands.

“And, of course, as part of the June State Budget, we announced a new $200 million hospital for Cooktown.

“These are investments that will benefit Northern Peninsula Area, Torres Strait, and Cape York residents for generations to come.”

ENDS