New $20m health centre to be built in Jabiru, Kakadu

A $20m facility complete with an ED, dental surgery and an x-ray room will be built in a remote Territory town. Read the plans.

Jabiru, in the heart of Kakadu National Park, will soon get a new $20m health centre. Picture: ERA

A new remote health clinic will be built in Jabiru, in Kakadu National Park, to service the town’s small population, surrounding communities and visitors alike.

The $20m project will contain specialised facilities including a two-bay emergency department, a private pharmacy and audiology, x-ray, renal and dental rooms.

The Jabiru Health Centre is also set to provide the town eight consulting suites with dedicated male, female and paediatric rooms, four multipurpose allied health rooms, a four-berth morgue with a viewing area and an external, culturally-appropriate ceremony area adjacent to the morgue.

Jabiru is located about 255km east of Darwin and is Kakadu National Park’s main township.

The facility is anticipated to boost the community’s access to medical services, including renal dialysis facilities for patients in the West Arnhem region.

Chief Minister and Health Minister Natasha Fyles said her government would continue to invest in Jabiru.

“No matter where you live in the Territory this government will always invest in health services which are closer to home and provide the best possible care for all Territorians,” Ms Fyles said.

“This centre will provide improved health outcomes for residents of Jabiru and will help transform it into a vibrant tourism hub in the heart of Kakadu National Park.”

A self-dialysis machine at the Renal Centre in Alice Springs. The Northern Territory has the highest rate of kidney disease in the country, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Arafura MLA Lawrence Costa said it would be great to see the project get off the ground.

“We know how important it is to have the very best health care accessible to Territorians, whether they live in the bush, or in the city,” Mr Costa said.

Top End company C and R Constructions has been awarded the tender for the centre’s build, which will see around 115 working onsite.

Construction begins next month and is anticipated to be complete by late 2023.

The Jabiru Health Centre forms part of the NT Government’s $135m Jabiru Futures Package.

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