A Bundaberg general practice is proposing to expand and rebrand as Kensington Medical.
Central Medical, located at Southside Central Shopping Centre, has lodged a development application for the new facility on Commercial Street.
Central Medical director David Harding-Smith said the practice was looking to relocate to larger premises, which would enable it to increase the number of doctors on staff.
“We would also like to have more facilities to train junior doctors,” Dr Harding-Smith said.
The proposed location for the new Kensington Medical centre ticked a number of boxes for Dr Harding-Smith.
“We are hoping that with the new day hospital close by, visiting specialists may do some sessions at this practice between surgeries.”
The proximity to CQUniversity was also an advantage for the site to potentially provide convenient access for nursing students completing practical study.
“We have in the past had nurses training at the practice and we’d be keen on doing that again,” he said.
Proposed medical centre has room to grow
“There will be room at the back of the site for future expansions for allied health.”
The proposed building is single storey with a gross floor area of 539sq m including 10 consulting rooms and pathology.
Bundaberg Regional Council Planning and Development portfolio spokesperson Cr Ross Sommerfeld said the application followed a stream of recent investment and increased interest in the commercial precinct.
“The Johanna Boulevard and Commercial Street area is a growing hub for a varying range of developments,” Cr Sommerfeld said.
“This proposed medical centre would be located close to the newly opened Bundaberg Private Day Hospital and a short drive from the airport and Bundaberg Region Aviation and Aerospace Precinct.
“It’s certainly heartening to see interest in this area continue as development moves ahead in leaps and bounds.”
The development application is impact assessable and will be open to public submissions.
Dr Harding-Smith said should the application be approved he was keen to see construction under way immediately and he's hopeful of an open date in early 2020.
