Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup delays Donnybrook Medical Centre purchase request due to crown land issues

A South West council has delayed its decision on the potential sale of a medical centre because it’s located on crown land. The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup voted at its meeting late last month to defer a request to purchase the Donnybrook Medical Centre site, but will take steps to have the property transferred into the council’s name. The purchase price received by the council was “significantly below market value”, with elected members being recommended to reject the request. But councillors voted instead to acknowledge the request and delay a final decision due to the Bentley Street location currently being crown land. The changes were made by Cr Grant Patrick, who said he supported the proposal to sell the site in principle. “Coming most recently from the healthcare industry, I’m well aware of the shortage of GPs in regional WA and how hard it is to attract doctors to regional general practice,” he said. Cr Patrick said he did not want to say no outright to the proposal, despite the council currently being unable legally to sell the land. Cr Antia Lindemann said one of her considerations was what is best for the greater community, noting potential plans if the site is sold. “It is a difficult one because commercially we do have a number of other medical practitioners in our Shire,” she said. “However, this is an alternative to what is on offer. It’s varied, encompassing health first rather than treatment second, so I’m interested in what this might look like.” Donnybrook Medical Centre and pathology company Sonic Healthcare both hold leases over the location which expire in 2026. Following questioning from councillors, acting chief executive Garry Hunt told the meeting he understood initial discussions had taken place early last year and staff were aware from early on the site was crown land. “When I met (the applicant) earlier this year, I re-emphasised the process that you have to go through and that there had been no decision made to sell the site,” he said. “The understanding we had at that meeting was that the applicant was keen to get the matter before the council in some shape or form.”