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 today, 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.

“Through collaborative research, community engagement, and industry partnerships, we have the potential to drive positive change in healthcare outcomes, particularly for communities in regional, remote and very remote locations.”

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.

“It is extremely important we are able to provide world class educational infrastructure to support the next generation of Territorians and attract international students from far and wide.

“This new facility will help prepare students for the unique challenges faced in the healthcare workforce, including a simulated emergency department.”

Northern Territory Government Minister for Education Eva Lawler said providing training and education options closer to home is good for all Territorians.

“The new facility will provide students currently enrolled in medical degrees to get on the job training here in the Territory,” Minister Lawler said. 

“Training in the place you live and work supports greater reward and retention. The Territory Government is focussed on building capacity, providing more jobs and more localised training and education services to Territorians.”

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.

Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP said the Centre will expand the capacity of the future healthcare workforce across the NT.

“The Centre for Better Health Futures will contribute to improving health outcomes for all Territorians,” Mr Gosling said

“It will also play an important role in the future CDU Medical Program and growing our own doctors and other health professionals in the Territory.”

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.

dwp Australia Principal Architect and Executive Director Scott Chapple said the designers understood the integral nature of technology in health education.

“The use of technology in the teaching and learning spaces will elevate CDU’s standing within the Northern Territory, and we believe will lead to retaining talent within the local community,” Mr Chapple said.

Construction is anticipated to be complete by late 2024.