Where to now for the Collingwood surgery? Two proposed sites
Could this DOC house at 52 Beach Road again be used as a doctor’s surgery in Collingwood? Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh.
A search through the archives of local newspapers reveals that Aorere residents have always been proactively interested in the medical facilities provided in their valley.
No wonder more than a few of them are getting anxious once again—this time about the probable demise of the Collingwood surgery at Joan Whiting Rest Home should the rest home close anytime from early next year.
Nelson Bays Primary Health Organisation manager Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said last week that Collingwood would not go without.
“We are definitely committed to retaining a Collingwood surgery and currently are exploring all options. To that end we are interested in hearing from the locals about any potential locations and options. When we are sure that we have all the options canvassed, a decision will be made by the IMG.”
At least two new sites have been widely mooted around the Collingwood community. One is as an adjunct in the grounds of Collingwood Area School, but this is increasingly being seen by some as less desirable due to the uphill walk from the township, holiday security issues, and plain conflict of user interest.
Another idea has come from Haven Road resident Denny Gillooly, who wrote to the IMG on 22 April (via Carolyn McLellan) suggesting that the land and house currently used by DOC at 52 Beach Road (next to Rosy Glow Chocolate) would make an ideal site for a new surgery.
Outlining its history, he pointed out that the land had originally been gazetted by the Collingwood County Council (CCC) in 1929 as a public utility reserve specifically for that purpose. A surgery and residence was built on the land by the CCC with funding from a targeted rate but, according to a February 1976 article in The Nelson Evening Mail, the doctor’s house and surgery were “handed over to the Forest Service” when a new surgery eventually opened at the Joan Whiting Rest Home. With the demise of the NZ Forest Service, the use of this house transferred to DOC.
DOC’s area manager, John Mason, says the Beach Road house is now used by the department to accommodate staff employed for short term summer work—hut wardens, hunters, weed control—as well as initial accommodation for staff who transfer here. But Denny Gillooly believes that with the closing of Joan Whiting, the Beach Road property should now be reconsidered.
“The residents of Collingwood built and paid for it to be a doctor’s surgery. The land is already in crown ownership with plenty of parking space available. If the present building does not meet required standards, then maybe some of the proceeds from the sale of the rest home could be made available to replace it. Considering all their past contributions, the residents of Collingwood don’t deserve to be shortchanged now.” Gerard Hindmarsh
