Horsham healthcare staff accommodation project
Elmstone Property Group and Grampians Health are excited to announce the location for much needed healthcare staff accommodation in Horsham.
After six months of due diligence, the large site – being part of 60 Tucker Street, Horsham – fronts both Tucker Street and Byrne Street. The site has now been secured, with planning well under way for a 2023 build program. The $8.3 million development will comprise thirty-six serviced units, positioned in a secure complex close to Grampians Health’s Wimmera Base Hospital.
A shortage in accommodation is one of the biggest barriers in attracting qualified staff to the region, and Grampians Health have committed to tackling this tough issue, to ensure they can grow a sustainable healthcare workforce, locally.
All apartments will be exclusively for Grampians Health staff, and comprise self-contained options with individual bathrooms and private kitchenettes, four of which are of accessible design to cater for staff and families with accessibility needs. Each unit can be configured flexibly to meet the needs of singles, couples, and/or small families.
The site represents the best of over ten sites investigated by Elmstone. The key selection criteria of being within a 15-minute walk to the hospital and in a high-quality residential neighbourhood are easily satisfied with Tucker and Byrne Streets. Being only just over 1 kilometre from the Wimmera Base Hospital will hopefully encourage the staff to walk, scoot or ride instead of driving into work.
The benefit to the local community extends beyond Grampians Health’s needs, as it will also free up rental accommodation currently occupied by healthcare workers, which will provide much needed options for the broader community.
Mr Dale Fraser, CEO of Grampians Health said “We currently rent thirty-eight houses across Horsham for specialists and their families, who are recruited both locally and from overseas, and rotating interns and nurse agency staff. This development will free up those rentals for the community.”
By integrating the health professionals into the residential community, it is also hoped that it will help to transition new arrivals into becoming permanent Horsham residents.
“Attracting new talent is a competitive exercise in the current climate, and being able to offer new and accessible accommodation is vital.”
“We are delighted with the location and believe that a genuine community experience will help with long-term retention. Horsham is a great town with plenty going for it and meeting new friends, neighbours and colleagues will go a long way towards families and individuals deciding to call Horsham ‘home’,” Mr Fraser said.
Director of the Elmstone Group Mr Stuart Benjamin highlighted the “above and beyond” support and advice the company had received from local authorities. ”Wimmera CMA and GWM Water have been particularly responsive in providing advice and recommendations on potential sites. ”It has been a pleasure for our team to work with referral authorities that understand the importance of this project to make Horsham a healthy and thriving community.”
Elmstone Property Group is currently engaging survey, engineering and planning teams to prepare plans and permits for the development. It is expected that subject to approval, construction would start in mid-2023. Local contractors and consultants are encouraged to make contact and register interest in working on the project.
