Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry has welcomed BHP’s announcement to fund two new COVID-19 testing centres in Moranbah and Proserpine.
BHP will allocate $7.6 million from its recently created Vital Resources Fund to support the establishment of these testing centres in both Moranbah and Proserpine, in a move that will ease the strain on local health facilities and increase the separation between suspected cases and the local community.
Ms Landry said it’s a great example of the resources sector stepping up to keep its workforce and regional communities safe and healthy.
“BHP is doing the right thing by the community and supporting health initiatives in regional areas.
“This significant investment shows they understand the concern locals have in continuing to operate but have made significant steps to allay their fears.
“This will provide a significant boost to local health facilities, by lightening the load often put on local emergency departments and clinics.
The $7.6 million in funding to be spent on building these testing centres are the largest single investment approved in the country in the first tranche of investments from BHP’s $50 million Vital Resources Fund.
Centres will be managed by Vanguard Health, and enable patients to be tested for COVID19 after presenting with symptoms of the virus, or following high-risk interaction. They will also be able to offer triage and testing services with a tele-health capability.
