Hub ‘a boost for the city’

A multi-million dollar indigenous medical hub in Carey Park will be a step closer to reality next week when the Bunbury City Council hands over land to the South West Aboriginal Medical Services.

The council is expected to support the disposing of Jaycee Park to the not-for-profit community health service as part of its $28 million plans for a cultural health hub for the area.

The impressive plans, which include clinical and research facilities, administrative offices, a bush tucker cafe and outdoor indigenous park, were revealed late last year.

While there were initial concerns around operating hours and increased traffic from nearby residents, Mayor Gary Brennan said he was confident the development would be a good outcome for the city.

“SWAMS has done a lot of consultation with the local community,” Mr Brennan said.

“The council has raised the opportunity of having some community facility built at Jaycee Park, probably five years ago.

“At that time there were concerns that the park would lose its character as being another one of those passive recreation areas, however this is a really strong community-based organisation and it’s still going to retain about 6000sq m of park for their nature playground.

“So it’s a good outcome for SWAMS as well at the community.”

The 6000sq m public open space and community access to the area appears to be a vital part of the project to the council, with questions raised during a briefing session this week.

Plans show an outdoor venue space and stage, youth play area and teaching space in the publicly accessible area.

Mr Brennan said the entire facility would be an “outstanding benefit” for the community.

“This project gives the SWAMS the opportunity of having a dedicated centre, specifically designed and constructed to suit the service provisions that they offer,” he said.

“It’s ideally located at Jaycee Park and they’ve got a magnificent concept for a nature playground, but importantly their location to services being all combined into a purpose-built facility will be an outstanding benefit for particularly indigenous health throughout the South West.”