Platt Architects awarded tender to build new Jabiru health centre as town transitions away from mining

A Territory architecture firm has been tasked with designing a new health centre at Jabiru, with construction on track to begin by the end of 2021.

A TERRITORY architecture firm has been tasked with designing a new health centre at Jabiru, with construction on track to begin by the end of 2021.

The NT government confirmed Platt Architects had been awarded the contract, worth $578,890, to design the health centre at the township nestled within Kakadu National Park.

MORE:

NT business want more police and tougher penalties to stop crime crisis

Lizards Sports Bar banned for eight hours of take away service on Anzac Day weekend

‘Elon, we want you’: Push for SpaceX launch pad in the NT

The health centre will be equipped with an ambulance bay, four-chair renal unit, morgue, and treatment rooms equipped for dental and hearing care.

According to the government the final design is expected to be completed in June.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles, whose portfolios include tourism, said the project would help transform Jabiru into a vibrant tourism hub.

The NT government has set aside $135.5m over successive budgets to fund Jabiru’s ongoing post-uranium mining transition following the withdrawal of Energy Resources Australia from the Ranger mine.

Artist impression of the hybrid power station at Jabiru that will be built by Energy Development. Picture: Supplied.

The health centre tender comes a month after Chief Minister Michael Gunner, in his Year Ahead speech, announced the government had awarded a contract to a Brisbane-based energy company to build a hybrid diesel and solar power station at Jabiru.

The hybrid power station, to be built by Energy Developments, will deliver at least 50 per cent of its electricity over the lifetime of the project from its 3.9MW solar farm.

Up to 30 jobs will be created at the peak of the project’s construction, though on average EDL expects 21 positions will need to be filled.

Construction is due to begin in April, with the power station to be working by the end of the year and be fully commissioned by early 2022.

A partnership between the government and NBN will also provide Jabiru with fibre-to-the-premises later this year.