THE first sod was turned last Friday at the long-anticipated Peel Youth Medical Services health hub site on Allnutt Street.
The $9.19 million hub will be a one-stop shop helping health and service providers tackle the effects of drugs, alcohol and mental health issues faced by young people in the Peel Region.
The project has been mainly driven by GP Down South business manager Eleanor Britton who said the hub would change the community.
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READ NOWIn 2015, Canning MHR Andrew Hastie started the Canning Ice Action Group which brought together local service providers to implement a co-ordinated approach for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse.
Last year, he took a delegation of local stakeholders including parents and young people affected by drug, alcohol and mental issues to meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“The Prime Minister understood what was at risk and last year the Coalition committed $2 million for capital works,” Mr Hastie said.
Both parties committed an additional $5 million during the State Election, which gave the project bipartisan support.
“The project is a testimony to how a community can work together to create solutions when we have strong and united leadership from both sides of politics and all levels of government,’’ Mr Hastie said.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman agreed.
“We are always at our best when we do things together,’’ he said.
“I’m a bit tired of division, anger and angst. This is what can happen when everyone works together.”
Mr Templeman pointed out the hub would benefit the Peel Region, not just Mandurah.
“All providers will outreach into the region,’’ he said.
“Mental health crosses all boundaries.”
The two-storey hub is expected to service up to 10,000 people a year and will include 60 consulting rooms, two training rooms and five waiting areas.
More than 280 jobs are expected to be created during construction.
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