A new sustainable health complex “honouring the first nations value of caring for country” will rise at the Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC).
The new build aims to close the gap in access to culturally relevant health services in the regions – connecting local First Nations people with the health care they deserve.
Local Federal MP, Lisa Chesters says this is an important step in the Australian Government’s Close the Gap targets.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services deliver important, culturally appropriate primary health care in our community,” Chesters says.
The new facility – inline with BDAC’s 2024-29 strategic plan – will quadruple the capacity to deliver medical services and allied health services to the local community when it opens in mid-2025.
BDAC CEO, Dallas Widdicombe says, “one of the most exciting parts for us is not only that will we get to deliver our current services but we will also bring in extra services like Dental, Podiatry, Physio and more.”
Currently, the centre is experiencing the longest wait times in its history.
Widdicome says the new build will see “little to no wait times.”
“We are gonna be able to employ more doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners.”
Widdicome says they are looking for the right people for the right roles, looking to within the community to provide holistic and culturally-appropriate care.
“We provide that cultural safety, we [currently] employ a number of our community in the service including three aboriginal nurses and multiple first nations practitioners.
“It’s a familiar place and our people feel safe. It’s home.”
Thanks to a $3.7 million contribution from the Federal Government in round two of the Closing the Gap – Major Capital Works Program and previous funding from the Victorian Health and co-contribution from BDAC. , the new Primary Health Care facility will feature ten additional consulting rooms, three allied health rooms, six interview rooms, additional office space, and a physical footprint of 1250m² compared to the current medical facility of 500m².
“It’s our aging population too, we need to have more access to healthcare now more than ever,” Widdicome says.
“When we started we had 800 clients, we have over 2000 now.”
The new 1,460 sqm building will join the three main buildings currently on site – that are 500 sqm in size.
Acknowledging the surrounds, the existing building, bush setting, and the ironbark trees is important for Bendigo-based building firm AW Nicholson who were engaged to construct the medical facility, collaborating with Architectural firms BLP and Workshop Architecture. They also constructed the round buildings at Prouses Road.
“From our Elders, that when it comes to a healing space, the outside is as important as the inside, to have the public spaces of the building open up to the outdoor spaces, as well as the consulting and interview rooms looking out and having direct access to bushland views,” BDAC says.
The local community is looking forward to the new complex opening, according to Jaydene Burzacott, BDAC’s Practice Manager and Practitioner.
“They are looking forward having a one-stop-shop for culturally-appropriate healthcare,” Burzacott says.
“Currently we’re really restricted in what can provide the community due to the space we currently have, this [complex] will enable us to have a holistic amount of services we can provide, expanding from just a GP service.”
BDAC challenged the architects to embed sustainability into every aspect of the project, from the construction phase to its ongoing long-term operation. The resulting design is made of recycled materials, exposed timber elements, passive lighting provided through the large windows and skylights, and large-scale solar system and battery storage.
The sustainability has been further enhanced through the use of cross laminated timber structure above ground (a first for the design team) as well as low carbon fly ash concrete on the foundation and surrounding paths and landscaping which will reduce the carbon footprint by over 20 percent.
“All the windows will face the nature and this beautiful bushland,” BDAC’s Executive Director of Corporate, David Gunn says.
“You can see them building the shaft for the lifts now! The first floor will sit a-top the current point.”
Widdicombe says they are thrilled to see the build taking shape!
“The facility will significantly expand BDAC’s capacity to meet the growing demand for local, culturally appropriate medical and health services,” Widdicombe says.
“The facility will drive positive health and wellbeing outcomes for Community by providing a space for connection, and for the delivery of safe, accessible, and responsive health services in a setting that is welcoming and deeply connected to the land and Culture.
“This will ensure we have the resources to close the age gap of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and mainstream.”
