Plans for a GP and specialist centre employing 50 people lodged with Maitland City Council

The development, planned for a site on Glenwood Drive (East of Mortel’s and Thornton 7-Eleven) could employ more than 50 staff with suites occupied by general practitioners and specialists possibly including cardiologists, obstetricians and radiographers.

With a construction cost of $6.4million, the centre will be the largest of its kind in the Maitland Local Government Area.

Developer GVP Property Pty Ltd is no stranger to constructing medical precincts building a similar project at Glendale.

GPV Property is a licensed property fund manager with integrated development capabilities, focusing on health care infrastructure and quality commercial property assets.

A statement of environmental effects which has been on public exhibition, said the development, if approved, will be built on a 7266 square metre parcel in close proximity to the New England Highway.

It will house nine medical suites with the major components being general practitioners, radiography, pathology collection services, a pharmacy, specialist rooms and other allied health professionals.

“The proposed use of the site as a medical centre is considered to be in the public interest, in that it will provide a range of local health care services, provide local jobs and inject money into the local economy,” the statement of environmental effects said.

“Approval of this application will allow a much needed local medical centre and ancillary pharmacy, to be established, resulting in positive economic and social impacts in the local area,” the document said.

The development is expected to be discussed at a council meeting soon.

North Ward councillor Robert Aitchison has applauded the plan.

“This is something the area has needed for a long time,” he said.

“With such a large industrial base here employing many people it will be a great benefit.”

Cr Aitchison hopes that if approved, GP’s at the centre will keep some lunchtime appointments free for workers who can’t get to their doctor during the day.

“We are one of the fastest growing areas but infrastructure just hasn’t been keeping up and we’re not just talking about roads. 

“It’s the schools, the shopping centres and medical facilities such as this that we need,” Cr Aitchison said.

“This will be a real boost for the area and something I think will be well patronised by all the tradies we have working in the Thornton area. I’m all for anything that makes our community better.”