Thames-Coromandel District Council has approved an agreement for a parcel of land to be the proposed site of a new medical facility in Mercury Bay.

The 4000m2 site on Joan Gaskell Drive is being made available for the medical facility by developers Whitianga Waterways – at no cost to ratepayers.

A concept drawing of the planned new Whitianga medical centre. Image: Whitianga Waterways

Elected members have also endorsed the Mercury Bay Community Board to begin investigations on the feasibility of the proposal, with outcomes to be reported back to council.

'This is a milestone occasion for Mercury Bay and the benefits of having a medical facility is that healthcare providers will be available in the one place, which will save customers time and money,” says mayor Glenn Leach.

'Currently many people travel to Auckland, Hamilton and Thames to meet with medical specialists, which can be stressful, costly and exhausting.”

In total 12 sites were investigated for a medical centre, but the Joan Gaskell site was the preferred option due to the nil land cost, direct access from the main entrance road into and out of town, its central location and close proximity to ambulance and rescue helicopter services.

Mercury Bay Community Board chair Paul Kelly says there had been early discussions with Whitianga medical practitioners and the Waikato District Health Board about the possibility of a more diverse medical facility.

Now that Council has approved the agreement we are now in a position to discuss with communities about how they can get involved. We will also begin the process of further developing the concept and selecting a suitable entity to develop and own and operate the facility,” he says.

'We have not ruled out any existing trust or group, but we do need to ensure the entity that is responsible for the development is appropriate and has the right mix of skills and drive to ensure the project is successful.”

In the 2016/17 annual plan, the Mercury Bay Community Board has ring-fenced $250,000 to go towards the setting up a Charitable Trust, or similar entity, that will take over the project.

The trust will be responsible for preparing a detailed implementation plan, progress detailed design, plus planning and cost estimates.

The board will also deal with resource consent requirements, develop strategies for securing funding, working with the medical practitioners and health authorities, determining on-going operation, as well as management structures and communications.

This money will be the Board's contribution towards the development of the facility and this early phase work is expected to take at least a year to complete.

The Mercury Bay Community Board will consider a report which looks at a Project Plan at its next meeting on Wednesday, July 6, which starts at 9am.

SERVICES THAT COULD BE PROVIDED FOR AT THE NEW FACILITY:

For more information visit the Thames Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/mbmedcentre