Community
2 April, 2025
Milestone for Cow Bay
THE new Cow Bay Primary Health Centre has reached a major milestone with the completion of its roof.
The new $14.8 million centre is being built next to the current building at Diwan and will greatly improve access to essential healthcare services for residents of Cow Bay and surrounds.
The 10,000sqm site will be home to the modern new centre, a new helicopter landing pad and staff accommodation.
Construction is expected to be finished by mid-2025, weather permitting.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said the new centre would feature improved clinical spaces for visiting specialist staff and would be better equipped for health emergencies while a patient is awaiting helicopter retrieval.
“This facility will be a valuable asset to the community and will greatly improve access to essential healthcare services for all residents,” she said.
“After serious weather events in the past couple of years, the new buildings have been fitted out with solar panels and battery banks for continuity of care.
“We look forward to opening the new primary health centre and seeing the positive impact it will have on the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors north of the Daintree River.”
The new facility will feature many improvements, including a mental health consultation room, a resuscitation treatment room and space for visiting services such as BreastScreen and allied health services.
Nursing director Michele Lamond has lived locally, raising her family and worked at the facility for the 27 years since its inception.
She said the new facility would provide a much more comfortable, weather-proof and welcoming environment for patients.
“All the patients are so excited about the space and the size of it,” Ms Lamond said.
“Having an indoor waiting room and an indoor toilet, along with my own office is going to be a dream come true.
“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened north of the Daintree River.”
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