Mystery surrounds scotched bid to move James Cook University’s Cairns dental clinic

Shelved plans to move a prized Far North health service to the heart of Cairns have emerged with James Cook University tight-lipped around a nixed proposal to relocate its dentistry clinic.

A rendered image of James Cook University’s vision for the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre. The state-of-the-art building will form part of the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct alongside Cairns Hospital’s new 32-bed surgical centre on Charles Street, Cairns North. Picture: Supplied

Shelved plans to move a prized Far North health service to the heart of Cairns have emerged with James Cook University tight-lipped around a nixed proposal to relocate its dentistry clinic.

But the outgoing Member for Leichhardt has backed the idea which would potentially provide greater access to the valued community service for pensioners, concession card holders and the homeless.

James Cook University’s Smithfield campus is based in Cairns’ northern beaches. Picture: Brendan Radke

Established in 2012, JCU opened the clinic at its Smithfield campus, providing more than 700 dental students the opportunity to gain vital experience under close supervision and giving thousands of low-income earners access to affordable healthcare.

Multiple sources confirmed that forecast growth in the city’s southern suburbs and construction of the $50m Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre near Cairns Hospital led the university to consider moving the clinic.

When contacted, a JCU spokesman refused to answer several questions related to the mothballed proposal but added that the university currently had “no plans” to move its dentistry clinic to the Cairns CBD.

Artistic impressions of Dugurrdja Precinct. Picture : Supplied.

Given JCU’s increased presence in the city through the Far North Queensland Health and Innovation Precinct, known as Dugurrdja, a move would make sense, Federal MP Warren Entsch said.

“It’s something that has merit and may be considered in the future,” the Member for Leichhardt said.

“I certainly wouldn’t be critical if they made that decision. In fact, I would be supportive of it.

“A lot of people that really need that service could be living on the street of the CBD. It shouldn’t be discounted for the future.”

Warren Entsch during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Earlier this month, JCU flagged plans to potentially sell its Daintree Rainforest Observatory, citing financial pressures.

The DRO is the only research station in Australia operating a rainforest canopy crane and features a lecture theatre, laboratories, accommodation and a commercial kitchen.

The Dugurrdja health precinct, bordered by Digger, Charles, Sheridan and Grove Streets, aims to become a state of the art precinct for education, training, research and innovation, creating strong ties throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Earlier this year, JCU sought government funding to build student accommodation worth more than $100m near its Smithfield and CBD campuses.

Originally published as Mystery surrounds scotched bid to move James Cook University’s Cairns dental clinic