New CDU health facility breaks ground
Construction of Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new $25.8 million Centre for Better Health Futures is about to commence, with a ceremony held on-site celebrating the start of a new health teaching and research facility.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman joined Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, Education Minister Eva Lawler, and Member for Solomon Luke Gosling to turn the first sod at the CDU Casuarina campus in Darwin, with construction expected to begin in the coming months.
The Centre will provide an innovative space to help train and prepare work-ready graduands to address the health challenges faced by the NT and its regions.
Professor Bowman said CDU is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Territorians from all walks of life.
“The Centre for Better Health Futures will support students, academics, and healthcare professionals with quality education and resources in a modern and contemporary facility,” Professor Bowman said.
“It is so important to train a healthcare workforce that understands the way we live and the unique challenges we face here in the NT, with a focus on providing clinical care that is culturally safe and accessible.
dwp Australia and Ashford Group Architects designed the 3684 square-metre, three-storey building to give students a practical learning experience, with a combination of clinical and preclinical simulation environments, laboratory environments and research infrastructure.
Among these rooms, a simulated emergency department and hospital ward, including twelve-bed bays, will allow students to experience a professional setting in a safe space, guided by Faculty of Health teaching staff.
Treasurer the Hon. Jim Chalmers said the Centre would give students the best possible preparation to join the growing Northern Territory health workforce.
“The demand for more skilled workers in our care economy is growing rapidly,” Treasurer Chalmers said.
“Important projects like this one will help us find and train more health workers for a community that desperately needs them. There’s nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of our people and to deliver cutting edge healthcare, we need cutting edge facilities.
“We also know that big investments in skills, training and health deliver big benefits for our economy. Building the Centre for Better Health Futures will help us build a better future for the NT – that’s what makes this project so important.”
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, and Minister for Health Natasha Fyles said training and retaining our medical staff here in the Territory is very important to the care patients receive.
“The construction of a new health facility at CDU marks an exciting time for the University and the Territory,” Minister Fyles said.
In total, $25.8 million has been invested in the Centre, including $10 million committed from the Federal Government and $15.8 million from CDU.
Simulation environments will also be equipped with virtual reality and mobile technologies that can be used by students from CDU campuses across the Territory, and immersive tools that replicate current technology available in health facilities.
Construction is anticipated to be complete by late 2024.