Among the Community Health Centre’s patients are Karabar’s littlest residents. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
A much-loved Karabar healthcare clinic is set to keep its doors open for a little while longer.
The Community Health Centre, located on Southbar Road in Karabar, is occupied by the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD).
It offers maternal, child and family health services.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) meeting documents state the services have been “provided by the Southern NSW Local Health District (and its former iterations) for many decades – supporting many members of our community, particularly mothers and their children through post-natal monitoring and support”.
At a recent meeting, the council unanimously approved a five-year licence extension for the clinic.
During the discussion, Councillor Morgan Broadbent urged his fellow councillors to support the service.
He said its efforts were much appreciated by many in the regional community, especially for its maternal health support.
“These kinds of services are critical and cannot be, I guess, expressed enough how important they are.”
The council previously formalised a five-year licence agreement with the SNSWLHD in 2016, according to the meeting documents.
While the previous arrangement was at no cost to SNSWLHD, the new version will come with a cost.
Council meeting documents state the agreement will cost $642 per annum (plus GST).
The SNSWLHD will also continue to handle a range of other charges, such as electricity, water and sewerage, gas and general waste.
Councillor Ross Macdonald also spoke in support of the renewal.
“[I] note that we do have other remarkable maternal health organisations in our region.
“If there was no need, they wouldn’t exist. It’s not a commercial consideration, but it is a reality that these services are established where they are in place of most need.”
The extension could come with possible changes to the site, with the meeting document stating that the new licence agreement will come with special conditions.
“The Southern NSW Local Health District is reviewing their original requirement to erect a carpark enclosure and repaint the building.
“This work had not been undertaken to date. This licence agreement places an obligation on the licensee to complete painting of the exterior of the health centre building within 12 months of the licence agreement.”
The draft agreement, released as part of the meeting papers, states that SNSWLHD will pay for these works and that no development application will be required for the carpark enclosure.
The decision means the service will continue operating until 30 June 2030, with the option of extending it further.
The SNSWLHD was contacted for comment on the extension, but did not respond by the given deadline.
The Community Health Centre is located at 12 Southbar Road in Karabar.
It is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm (Monday to Friday). You can find more information on Health Direct’s website.
