Council has secured $50,000 in funding from the Victorian Government’s Living Local Regional Fund alongside a $50,000 co-contribution from Global Power Generation Australia (GPG) to ensure health services can return to Smythesdale and surrounding townships in the north of the Shire.
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP, Hari Fuentes Cabrera and Phil Beattie from Global Power Generation Australia, were joined by Practice Manager Julie Conidi and Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble on Friday to announce the funding at the soon to be opened clinic rooms at The Well in Smythesdale.
Council has secured $50,000 in funding from the Victorian Government’s Our Regions: Living Local Regional Fund, with this funding to be matched by Global Power Generation Australia, who operate the Berrybank Wind Farms in Golden Plains Shire to ensure the GP clinic was fully funded for townships in the north of the Shire.
These funds will see the fit out of the clinic rooms located at The Well in Smythesdale with specialist medical equipment and furnishing, removing a significant financial barrier for the incoming general practitioners.
The clinic will have two medical practitioners and support staff, with the gradual addition of allied health services including a podiatry service. With the pharmacy co-located at the facility, The Well is becoming a valuable medical hub to serve the Golden Plains community.
The incoming practitioners are hopeful to commence operations from mid-November scaling up the number of hours and days as their patient list grows and the fit out of the clinic rooms is completed by Council.
Quotes attributable to Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble
“Council is delighted to see the Medical Clinic at The Well re-open for Golden Plains Shire residents thanks to $50,000 from the Victorian Government’s Living Local Regional Fund and a co-contribution of $50,000 from Global Power Generation Australia which will deliver the fit out of the medical clinic and will return medical services to the north of our Shire.
“The closing of the Smythesdale Medical Clinic earlier this year was disappointing for residents in the north of our Shire, and it is exciting to now be able to confirm that medical services will return to The Well.
“Council has been working hard behind the scenes to find a new GP to service residents in the north of the Shire and we’re pleased to welcome our new practitioners.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle
"The living local grants are about strengthening communities.
“Refurbishing the Well and welcoming back a local GP will make a huge difference to Smythesdale and surrounding communities."
Picture (L-R) Practice Manager Julie Conidi, Hari Fuentes Cabrera from Global Power Generation Australia, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle and Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble.