New $15.7 million Yarrabah Primary Health Care Centre progresses

The Queensland Government is progressing development of a new $15.7 million primary health care centre at Yarrabah, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said the new health facility is being planned for a greenfield site nominated by the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council on the corner of Bukki and Old Back Beach Roads, Mourigan.

“For the first time, the people of Yarrabah will be able to access a broad range of integrated primary health care services at the one location,” he said.

“Services will include accident and emergency, GP consulting rooms, pharmacy, self-care dialysis and community health services including mental health, oral health, pathology, medical imaging, immunisation, maternity and palliative care.

“The existing Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service and a Queensland Ambulance station will also be collocated at the new primary health care centre.

“And we’re also building new accommodation for staff comprising three two-bedroom units.

“The collocation of these services will promote stronger partnerships and better coordination of health services for the community.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health and the Gunggandji People (represented by the North Queensland Land Council) are currently negotiating a land use agreement for the preferred site.

“Discussions are progressing very well and I am hopeful the draft Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for the site can be finalised within the next month.

“Queensland Health is also progressing a trusteeship arrangement for the local community to utilise the existing Yarrabah health facilities following relocation of services to the new centre.

“In the meantime, design work for the new health care centre has been completed and the project can go to public tender once the ILUA is finalised.”

Mr Robertson said construction of the primary health care facility was expected to take 15 months.

“The project comprises 2,001 square metres of building area which involves a number of wings including: a public entry/reception area; a primary health care wing, a consulting wing; an accident and emergency wing, staff building, an interview wing plus covered walkways, car parking and landscaping.

“This $15.7 million project reflects the Beattie Government’s commitment to improve health services for indigenous Queenslanders.

“The existing facilities are aged and would require substantial modernisation and refurbishment to allow the deliver of contemporary health care services.

“Building this new primary health care facility will improve both the quality of health services as well as accessibility to these services for the people of Yarrabah,” he said.

Mr Robertson said he was pleased the Commonwealth had committed $1.2 million towards the project.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 0417 728 676