A 43,489 square metre lot in Dalkeith has been earmarked to build a three-storey centre, estimated to cost $42 million, to cater for the lack of medical services in the area.
A development application to build a commercial development on the corner lot of Waratah Avenue and Robert Street has been lodged with the Metro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel.
Landowner APC Collective Investments has engaged town planner element and Pennock Architects to compile the application for a proposed community health and wellness centre on 129-133 Waratah Avenue.
The proposed development comprises a café or restaurant on the ground floor, a shop, a small liquor store, a medical centre and office.
APC engaged Verso Consulting to identify the deficiency of medical services within western suburbs, including Mount Claremont, Claremont, Karrakatta, Nedlands, Dalkeith and Crawley, according to the development application.
"Verso Consulting determined there were 65 GPs in the catchment. This is 23 less than required under the Commonwealth benchmark targets," the DA said.
"This shortfall combined with the aging population has highlighted the importance of providing localised medical and allied health services."
A strip of single-storey tenancies, comprising retail, restaurant and office use, is currently on the subject site.
The DA said the existing buildings were of considerable age and nearing the end of their economic life.
The proposed medical centre will operate from 8am to 9pm everyday, with the GP clinic to include an after hours first contact service and a 24/7 telemedicine and telehealth services.
"Should a patient require in-person treatment, medical services can be provided on-site," the application said.
"It is important to note, this is not an emergency department, however is a service which in particular the elderly will benefit from to be seen and treated without having to wait in emergency departments for an extended period of time for a medical emergency that is non-life threatening or requires an initial screening assessment."
The application will be assessed by the City of Nedlands, with council to provide a recommendation to JDAP.
