Jabiru Health Centre well past halfway mark
The Territory Labor Government is close to delivering the new $20 million Jabiru Health Centre, with construction 75% complete.
The new facility, co-located adjacent to the proposed Bininj Resource Centre and lakeside precincts, will greatly improve access to medical services in the region, as well as expand the provision of local renal dialysis services for patients in the West Arnhem region.
Territory company C and R Constructions Pty Ltd is delivering the works with over 100 workers on site, including contractors, Aboriginal workers and apprentices.
The facility includes eight consulting suites with dedicated male, female and paediatric rooms, four multi-purpose allied health examination rooms, a four-chair renal room and a dental surgery, including sterilisation and work rooms.
It also includes specialised facilities such as an audiology consulting room with a hearing booth, an X-ray room, a medication store and private pharmacy, a four-berth morgue with a viewing area and an external, culturally appropriate ceremony area adjacent to the morgue.
There will also be emergency capabilities at the facility with a drive through ambulance bay and an emergency department with resuscitation bays.
The new health centre will service communities within a 100km radius and become the primary health service available in Kakadu National Park.
The project is part of the Northern Territory Government’s $135 million Jabiru Futures Package to repurpose the Jabiru Township within Kakadu National Park from mining to tourism, with a focus on its World Heritage Area (WHA) status.
Minister for Health Selena Uibo said, “The new health centre will support communities and homelands in west Arnhem to receive care closer to home, and enhance tourism in Kakadu through improved access to emergency medical care for visitors.
“Our Territory Labor Government continues to deliver work for Territorians, and upskilling locals to create a resilient Territory-wide workforce.
“Locals are excited to see the new health centre nearing completion, with facilities that will be able to provide culturally appropriate care.”
Member for Arafura Manuel Brown said, “My electoral constituents in west Arnhem are eager for the opening of the new Jabiru Health Centre.
“The Territory Labor Government is supporting the transformation of Jabiru into a nationally and internationally recognised tourism destination by supporting the development of Jabiru for west Arnhem communities.
“The renal and morgue facilities will be valuable to the community to facilitate sorry business and offer better access to renal services, with both self-dialysis and assisted dialysis.”