Council commits funding for health centre expansion

Cobar Shire Council has agreed to commit $22,500 to help build a space for a teleconferencing area and additional consulting rooms for the Cobar Primary Health Care Centre (CPHCC).

At last Thursday’s council meeting councillors voted to allocate the funding from their budget to assist with the conversion of the garage at 24 Harcourt Street, next to the CHPCC.

In her report to council, special projects officer Angela Shepherd advised that while council had been unsuccessful in seeking grant funding for the project, Peak Gold Mines had donated $12,500 and the NSW Outback Division of General Practice had supported the project with a $10,000 contribution.

“The investment would allow works to commence early in the New Year with the new rooms operational soon after,” Ms Shepherd said.

“Whatever the future of the medical centre, in regards to the new multipurpose health service, it is likely to be at least three years before the new service is operational.”

Ms Shepherd said the centre requires the additional space now to accommodate the new services they wish to bring to Cobar.