Diggers are starting groundworks for HealthCentral’s new premises, at the former Z energy petrol station site on Tarbert Street, which is due for completion mid 2024.

HealthCentral’s general manager Jenaya Smith said the project is a “positive thing for the wider community” and “staff were really excited to be providing input and seeing progress”.

“The site will be cleared this side of Christmas… on time and on schedule. So far so good. 

“We’ve had good interest from patients and we expect the [project] to generate more conversation.

The work has kicked off on site to prepare for the new building

“Our new building design will meet the diverse needs of our community, both now and

in the future, and … provide us with a highly functional layout [to] allow us to deliver

a wider range of services in the future.”

Jenaya said the building will help attract new health professionals including GPs and physiotherapists to Central’s workforce.

The new facility includes two negative pressure isolation rooms - useful in the event of a Covid-19 or infectious disease outbreak, and a dedicated urgent care area with ambulance access.

The planned services will help primary tenant HealthCentral to better meet the increasing demand for acute care as a result of population growth and increased visitors to Central.

In addition to the general practice, a number of other tenants including physiotherapy, mental health and wellbeing support, a pharmacy, dentist and a café are anticipated. 

Rooms for visiting specialists, consultants, counsellors and other health service providers have also been allowed for. 

Jenaya said HealthCentral’s recent purchase of the Alexandra Physiotherapy Centre will mean physiotherapy services are in the same building as the practice for the first time; in keeping with the strategic direction of the “locality model” of the government's health reforms. 

HealthCentral has partnered with Medispace, a specialist in health development designs, which has a different approach to architecture and interiors than the functional based layout of a ‘traditional’ health centre.

Local company Breen Construction has been contracted to deliver the project for Queenstown investment group Mackersy Property. Mackersy CEO and director Hamish Wilton said the group was delighted to be working with its partners to bring a brand-new medical precinct to Alexandra.

“We have a long history in Central Otago, with our investors involved in several key projects around the region,” he said.

Project plans are at the HealthCentral reception, and feedback is welcomed. For further information contact.

Read more about the Future of Health and locality reform (a place-based approach to improving the health of populations) here. 

The Central App will keep the community informed about project milestones.