Cobar Health Service, built under the NSW Government’s $305 million Multipurpose Service Program, will open on budget and ahead of schedule with construction now complete.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, joined by Aboriginal Elder Joan Evans who delivered the welcome to country, marked the major milestone by planting a tree at the front of the new facility.

“The Cobar community now has a modern and culturally welcoming facility bringing multiple health services under the one roof, offering patients and staff a better experience,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The Hospital was largely untouched for 50 years until the NSW Liberals & Nationals promised and delivered a brand new health facility, as we have done for dozens of other regional communities.

“We made a commitment to the people of Cobar that we would provide access to quality health care closer to home, and this project is a wonderful example of that commitment becoming a reality.”

The new Cobar Health Service is part of the NSW Government’s statewide $305 million program of works to upgrade existing or build new multipurpose facilities in rural and regional areas.

Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive of Western NSW Local Health District, said the development puts emergency, medical imaging, dialysis and more community health services under the one roof.

“This project really has been a community effort and we thank everyone for their invaluable input into the design of this amazing new facility, including the artwork and signage,” Mr McLachlan said.

“The redevelopment also provides the community with an additional 10 residential aged care rooms as part of the Lilliane Brady Village extension and an Aboriginal courtyard to support healing.”

Other significant health achievements in the Local Health District include the $241 million Dubbo Hospital redevelopment and $35 million Western Cancer Centre project; the $70.7 million Mudgee Hospital redevelopment; and much-needed new Ambulance stations at Cowra and Grenfell.

The redevelopment of a new health facility at Lightning Ridge is due for completion next year, following completed projects at Molong, Coolah and Rylstone. Two-thirds of the NSW Government’s record $10.1 billion health infrastructure budget over the next term will go to rural and regional areas.

The Cobar Health Service is due to open to the public in January 2020.