Town of Bassendean to look at moving child health centre

THE future of the 60-year-old Bassendean Child Health Centre could be determined after Bassendean Council asked officers to investigate moving the clinic to rented premises.

Cr Renee McLennan’s proposal that a feasibility report be brought back to the council in May was approved at the March 28 council meeting.

The centre offers free services, including child-neuro development, growth and nutrition, social and emotional wellbeing, illness and injury prevention and is staffed with one full-time nurse.

MORE: Thousand-year-old grasstree moved for shopping centre development

MORE: Upgrades to Orrong Rd intersections set to begin

MORE: Study of singles finds Mandurah the 6th happiest place in Australia

MORE: Roleystone Organic Growers still sprouting connections after 25 years

Cr McLennan said the demand for child health care services had increased due to more young families living in the Town.

The 2011 Census showed an 18 per cent increase in the number of children in the Town aged zero to four over five years.

Cr McLennan said her motion was a “temporary measure”.

Cr Paul Bridges said there was nothing more important in the community than children.

“The facility is old and inadequate and there has been a complaint from the nurse who felt unsafe,” he said.

Mayor John Gangell said the Town could not afford to rent out facilities in the town centre.

“Our budget is stretched; the service is free and we should look at cosmetic changes internally,” he said.

“We have put the fence up and to my understanding it has alleviated the anti-social behaviour.

“Council needs to look at the budget because we already have a freehold facility.”

Cr Gangell said the council needed to take a “holistic approach” in investigating other options.

In February, a WA Health Department spokesman told the Eastern Reporter there was no need for another nurse at the centre.

Bassendean MLA Dave Kelly said he will work with the Town on a new proposal for centre.

.