- $50,000 Royalties for Regions funding for Manjimup Health Professional Housing
- Project to address housing shortage for GPs in the region
The Shire of Manjimup's project to build additional housing for health professionals has moved forward to stage two, following a funding commitment of $50,000 from the Royalties for Regions Country Local Government Fund.
The South-West's biggest shire has had a long standing GP shortage with the availability, standard and cost of housing cited as barriers to attracting health professionals.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the receipt of this funding represented a key milestone in the three phase project to address a critical service need for the region, while complementing the Southern Inland Health Initiative.
"Quality health care is a basic and vital service which should be easily accessible to all people, including those who choose to live in our regional areas," Mr Grylls said.
"The lack of GPs for the region is being addressed with significant financial incentives from the $565million Royalties for Regions-funded Southern Inland Health Initiative and it is important to support the infrastructure needs resulting from this.
"With waiting periods of up to six weeks for a GP appointment and the increased pressure this places on neighbouring shires' services, supporting a project which ultimately increases the number of health professionals available to the community is very worthwhile."
The completed project will offer three ready-to-use houses, featuring dual-key design, meaning the house is able to be split into lockable residences to cater for separate occupants when necessary.
"The inclusion of the dual-key design feature is clever for this infrastructure as the residences can house up to three GPs and their families and still provide accommodation for a further three visiting specialists when required," the Minister said.
Completion of stage two sees the finalisation of detailed design, documentation and construction costing and ensures the Shire of Manjimup is well placed to proceed with the third and final stage of the project, to build and furnish the units.
Fact File
Total expected project cost for stage two $58,000, comprising $50,000 from Royalties for Regions Country Local Government Fund and $8,000 from the Shire of Manjimup
Liberal-National Government's Royalties for Regions invested $70.4m to overhaul and expand the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
Royalties for Regions administered by Dept of Regional Development and Lands
More information at http://www.rdl.wa.gov.au
Minister's office - 6552 5500
