Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson reassures local figures on commitment to Mullewa Health Centre project

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has provided an update on the stalled Mullewa Health Centre redevelopment, reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to the project.

In terms of a start date, all Ms Sanderson would say is that construction on the Mullewa Health Centre would begin some time after work commences on Geraldton Health Campus’s upgrades.

After significant setbacks, the $123 million Geraldton project is in the expression of interest stage, with a final tender yet to be awarded.

Ms Sanderson said the Mullewa project would exceed its allocated $6.3 million budget, but reiterated that the Government was committed to the project.

“Planning has commenced for the redevelopment, which will provide access to a range of health services and providers under one roof,” she said.

The minister addressed a call from the City of Greater Geraldton for an update on the progress of the Mullewa project, speaking with local government figures about the project as part of a Cabinet visit to Geraldton last week.

Ms Sanderson met with City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor Jerry Clune, Mullewa-based councillor Jennifer Critch and CEO Ross McKim, as well as Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton and Agricultural Region MLC Sandra Carr, to speak about the health centre.

The Mullewa Health Centre project was announced in March 2016, with construction set to begin in the second half of 2017, however since then there had been very few updates on its progress.

The issue of the delays was raised in late 2022, with the council approving a motion calling on Ms Sanderson to visit Mullewa or speak with City representatives on the situation.

Cr Critch said Ms Sanderson assured them the lines of communication on the progress of the health centre would remain open, providing the clarity local people have been looking for.

“There were people in Mullewa who thought the project would never happen,” Cr Critch said.

Cr Critch said she understood that, with rising costs and the challenge of getting construction workers to Mullewa, the project won’t be an instant one.

“It’s good that it is in the pipeline, but it is still going to take some time,” she said.