JOINT RELEASE: Council And Grampians Community Health Seek Election Commitment For $15.8 Million Health Hub
Ararat Rural City Council and Grampians Community Health are calling on Victorian election candidates to commit $15.8 million for the long awaited redevelopment of the A & J McDonald Centre. The ageing buildings have limited accessibility and consulting space affecting the delivery of local health and community services, including, youth mental health and care for people experiencing homelessness.
First identified as a preferred community health precinct in 2004, the proposed redevelopment would transform the centre into an accessible community health hub, bringing health services, mental health support, and community spaces together in one location, while bringing the adjoining historic hall back into use.
With the State election approaching, both organisations are seeking a funding commitment that would allow the project to progress and provide suitable facilities for services responding to local need.
Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Phuong Au said the redevelopment was an opportunity to make getting help easier for local people. “People should be able to access the care they need in their own community, in a place where they feel comfortable and welcome,” Ms Au said.
“The McDonald Centre has served our community for generations. This redevelopment would respect that history while making the buildings accessible and better suited to the services our community needs today.
“We are asking candidates to support a practical investment in Ararat’s future, with benefits that extend well beyond the buildings themselves.”
Grampians Community Health reports the centre is increasingly stretched, with inadequate consulting space and limited accessibility affecting service delivery. People experiencing homelessness are presenting to its local services most weeks, alongside people needing mental health, family violence and other community health services.
Grampians Community Health Chief Executive Officer Greg Little said the existing building was restricting what GCH and its service partners could deliver locally.
“The building is the barrier, not the service. We have committed staff delivering important services every day, but the premises are no longer suitable. There’s no lift, we don’t have enough consulting rooms, and the layout makes it difficult to provide some services safely and privately. That’s not good enough for our community, We need to be able to connect them with appropriate health care and other support, in a setting that gives them privacy and dignity,” Mr Little said.
“We’ve been working towards this development for more than 20 years. GCH and Council have invested in developing the concept plans, but we need support for detailed design, approvals and construction”.
“We have seen what suitable facilities can make possible in Horsham. Ararat deserves the same opportunity. This isn’t about giving GCH a new building. It’s about giving people in Ararat the facilities they need to get help close to home.
“We are seeking $450,000 to complete the detailed planning and approvals, alongside support for progressing the full redevelopment of $15.8m. We have done the groundwork. What we need now is a commitment that helps us take the next step and ultimately get this project built.”
Grampians Community Health’s move to fit-for-purpose premises in Horsham supported an expansion from 15 to 60 staff and a broader local service offering. In Nhill, The Patch provides a base for mental health and wellbeing support for families, carers, kin, and supporters, alongside other Grampians Community Health services.
The proposed McDonald Centre redevelopment would retain the buildings’ distinctive character while creating accessible spaces for expanded mental health care, alcohol and other drug services, family violence support, chronic disease management, and carer support. Plans also allow for community activities, meeting spaces, and additional health providers.
Council and Grampians Community Health are seeking a commitment to the $15.8 million redevelopment ahead of the State election. The aim is to provide suitable facilities so the centre can support a more connected approach to health and community care for Ararat and the surrounding district.
Media contacts:
- Ararat Rural City Council: 03 5355 0223
- Grampians Community Health: 03 5358 7400
