A render of the new South Tuggeranong Health Centre, to open near Lanyon Marketplace in September 2026. Photo: ACT Government.
The ceremonial shovels marked the start of construction on a new health centre near Lanyon Marketplace, with additional centres to follow in other locations.
The South Tuggeranong Health Centre, set to open in Conder by the end of next year, will be followed by similar facilities in the Inner South, North Gungahlin and West Belconnen, in what the ACT Government describes as its “largest-ever investment in ACT healthcare”.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith joined the head construction contractor Shape to break ground at the Conder site.
“This milestone means we are a step closer to improving access for people on Canberra’s southside,” she said.
“The new health centre will enable Tuggeranong residents to access care closer to home, including supported telehealth appointments that will reduce the need to go into our busy hospitals or travel to other community sites.”
She added that the centre’s design has been shaped by “extensive engagement with clinicians and the local community to ensure it meets their needs”.
A render of inside the centre. Photo: ACT Government.
It will include 11 consultation rooms and a “flexible layout” to support “a range of healthcare services” delivered by both Canberra Health Services and non-government partners, including the nearby YWCA-run Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre (MLYCC).
The focus is on paediatrics, pathology collection, dementia care, diabetes clinics, falls and fall injury prevention, chronic disease programs, and a purpose-built virtual care room.
“[The virtual care facility] means telehealth access for people who, for whatever reason, can’t access it in their home, or might need some support, and when you’re down here in south Tuggeranong, that is a massive difference for people who might have challenges travelling the long distance to one of our busy hospital campuses,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
Construction is expected to be completed in August 2026, with the centre expected to open the following month.
Site planning and preliminary design work are underway for similar health centres in North Gungahlin and the Inner South, while the government is finalising an exact location for the one in West Belconnen.
According to Ms Stephen-Smith, these will provide “localised, multidisciplinary care with a focus on preventive care and advice, early intervention and the management of chronic illnesses”.
ACT Labor Members for Brindabella Caitlin Tough (left) and Taimus Werner-Gibbings (right) turning the sod with ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith. Photo: James Coleman.
She said staffing will be taken care of by transferring some from existing health facilities to whatever centre is closest to them, as well as the continued expansion of the Canberra Health Services workforce.
ACT Labor went to the 2024 election with a commitment to hire an additional 800 health care workers.
It’s hoped the new centres will ultimately alleviate pressure on the Walk-in Centres and emergency departments.
“We know if people can stay well in their communities, they are less likely to need to access acute services – including the emergency departments – so some of the work this service will do … enabling people to stay well rather than their care needs escalating … reduces that pressure on acute hospital services.”
ACT Labor Member for Brindabella Caitlin Tough participating in the smoking ceremony. Photo: James Coleman.
ACT Labor Member for Brindabella Caitlin Tough, herself a resident of Conder, described the centre as a “really exciting first step”.
“Residents down here are really excited to have these services close to home. It complements the walk-in centre at Tuggeranong, and it means a lot to the community to have health services closer to home and easy to access.”
Shape general manager Tom Sparkes said he was “honoured” to be a part of the project.
“Our team is committed to delivering a facility that meets the highest standards of quality and functionality.”
