A $3.5 million upgrade to a rural health centre in Tasmania’s Southern Midlands is about to get underway.
The Oatlands Multi-Purpose Health Centre project will include the construction of a new eight-bed residential aged care wing, drugstore, team room and nurse’s station in the small town north of Hobart.
Local Liberal Member for Prosser Jane Howlett called the upgrade and “extremely exciting” one and said the ‘community can’t wait’ for it be be completed next year.
“What it will do is to allow people to stay within their community and that is so very important for rural, regional communities … like Oatlands,” she said.
Glen Sheppard from Macquarie Builders, who were awarded the contract, said the south of the state is currently experiencing a “boom” with health centre projects and that they are looking forward to delivery the project “on time and on budget”.
“Because we’re so close to an existing operational facility, [it is important to ensure] that we do not disturb the existing residents of the facility and making sure that we operate in a peaceful manner that’s quiet and tranquil for the original residents,” Sheppard said.
Health Minister Guy Barnett expects construction to begin in February 2024 and says it will take around eight months to complete.
“Anybody who lives in Oatlands or knows Oatlands knows that the multi-purpose health centre is a hub,” he said.
“It is critical and important to the future of Oatlands and the southern Midlands and the surrounding area. It has been for decades.”
He said the redevelopment aims to provide better facilities for patients and staff, while meeting the future demand for health services in the area, and was a commitment made by the Liberal Government in 2021.
