Background
The Dover Medical Centre is located within the Esperance Multipurpose Health Centre at Dover and is the southernmost service provider of their kind in Australia and is the only service in the rural township.
The Dover Medical centre is owned and operated by Huon Valley Council and averages 800 consultations per week, provides a 24-hour on call service as well as in-house health assessments. The centre currently attracts a number of allied health practitioners in the areas of mental health, child health, community nursing and podiatry.
Council successfully obtained funding of $1 million in the 2021 State Election for the redevelopment of the Medical Centre located within the Esperance Multi-Purpose Health Centre.
The Project
The redevelopment of the Dover Medical Centre will enable the provision of modern, fit-for-purpose services to the community, now and into the future. This will include a new entrance, additional consultation rooms and internal alterations.
Development approval has been received for the redevelopment of the Dover medical centre to increase the consulting space to 5 consultation rooms, allied health room, practice nurse and an improved staff amenities area.
A timeline has been provided which outlines the steps taken to date and the expected timelines for commencement of construction. These dates are provided as a guide and are subject to variations as the project progresses.
Construction
Macquarie Builders have been appointed to undertake the works for the Dover Medical Centre expansion project, which is planned to commence on 29 May 2023.
Phase 1 of the expansion project involves converting the current Community Room into 3 consulting rooms and a new reception. A temporary reception desk will also be constructed to allow for service retention during Phase 2.
Phase 2 will include the construction of new toilet facilities, waiting area, reception and office spaces.
Macquarie Builders expect to have all works complete by the end of 2023. This will provide additional capacity and expanded medical services capability for the Dover region.
Macquarie Builders come with experience in building health care centres, having recently completed the Kingston Health Centre in Kingborough and currently constructing Brighton Regional Doctor’s Clinic.
The Plan
![](https://hvcouncil.clients.ionata.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Dover-Medical-Centre-Endorsed-Plan-800x566.jpg)
Phase 1 of the Dover Medical Centre redevelopment is now complete, and staff will eagerly be moving into the new space on Friday 18 August.
The Dover Medical Centre will be closed on Friday 18 August to allow for the move, and open again on Monday 21 August. Phase 2 will then begin.
Refurbishments during phase 1 have included the construction of:
• Two consult rooms
• A temporary reception area
• Specialist treatment room
Phase 2 of the refurbishment will involve the construction of:
• New reception and waiting areas
• Bathroom facilities
• Access doors and airlock
• Tele and Child Health spaces
• Utilities and storerooms
Macquarie Builders have been appointed to undertake the works for the Dover Medical Centre expansion project, which is planned to commence on 29 May 2023.
Phase 1 of the expansion project involves converting the current Community Room into 3 consulting rooms and a new reception. A temporary reception desk will also be constructed to allow for service retention during Phase 2.
Phase 2 will include the construction of new toilet facilities, waiting area, reception and office spaces.
Macquarie Builders expect to have all works complete by the end of 2023. This will provide additional capacity and expanded medical services capability for the Dover region.
Macquarie Builders come with experience in building health care centres, having recently completed the Kingston Health Centre in Kingborough and currently constructing Brighton Regional Doctor’s Clinic.
The tender package was downloaded by several potential tenderers however no submissions were received.
A report was immediately drafted and put to council as an urgent matter at the 25 January 2023 ordinary meeting. The urgency in which the report was delivered to Council is indicative of just how high a priority this project is for Council. The report proposed the approval for direct negotiation in line with Section 333A(3) of the Local Government Act 1993 and Regulation 27(i) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2015.
Prior to commencing with direct negotiation, the Project Manager will consult with potential builders and inform Council with a shortlist of those builders and facts relevant to direct contract negotiation.