MAJOR FUNDING FOR SCU: More Infrastructure For State of the Art Health Services for Coffs Harbour

Health Services will excel on the Coffs Coast with the announcement of Stage 2 of the Coffs Harbour Health Services Precinct at the Southern Cross University.

Cowper MP Pat Conaghan announced the $27.5 million commitment on Thursday with Minister for Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie at the Education Campus.

Senator McKenzie said the $27.5 million will be invested to provide a community health clinic with speech and voice labs, mental health and therapy
rooms, rehabilitation and exercise studios and consultation rooms.

Listen to what the Minister said about the project:

Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan spoke of the importance the facility will have for the region, saying that the proposal builds on the Government's initial $12 million investment in Stage 1 of the Precinct and recognises the growing needs of the community.

“I have been working on securing funding for over two years after the project was brought to me by Vice Chancellor Tyrone Carlin, so to see it come to fruition is fantastic,” Mr Conaghan said.

“More than 150 jobs will be created during construction, and we expect an additional 800 students in the first five years will be able to study here, adding not just to the local population but the visitor and tourist economy as well.”

Listen to Pat Conaghan speaking about the project:

Southern Cross University's Vice Chancillor, Professor Tyrone Carlin said the facilities will create local jobs, guarantee essential healthcare services and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the region.

“This is a truly exciting announcement for the University. We are grateful for the opportunity to realise the vision for these new cutting-edge facilities that will attract students and support the development of the regional health workforce of the future,” Professor Carlin said.

Hear Professor Carlin here:

With a co-contribution of $12.5 million the $40 million investment in the Precinct will support and attract new students to the Coffs region, create jobs and guarantee increased delivery of health care services.

When asked what the project meant to be able to secure the funding, Pat Conaghan said it was possibly one of his proudest achievements in his first term as the local representative for Cowper.