The impact wet season inundation has on the Mulligan Highway over the Little Annan River means Cooktown cannot be a reliable health solution for the Lakeland community. Photo: Supplied.
The development of a permanent health clinic at Lakeland is back in the spotlight after a petition presented to Cook Shire Council by the community’s progress association received overwhelming support from elected members on 30 May.
The petition was created by the Lakeland Progress Association (LPA) and highlighted the criticality of a local health option for residents and visitors.
Currently, anyone in the unofficial gateway to Cape York needing medical assistance is required to travel 61 kilometres to Laura or 78 kilometres to Cooktown, an impossible task during wet season inundation, which cuts local roads and submerges the Mulligan Highway at the Little Annan River.
LPA secretary Stefanie O’Kane said the community’s growing population meant the group believed the establishment of a local clinic was now a necessity, rather than a luxury.
“We just have no health services in Lakeland, even just for the older people,” she said.
“This year was especially wet … and Lakeland was completely cut off north, south, and towards Cooktown for, I would say, three of four days; the airstrip was too wet for anything to land.
“If something (a medical emergency) had have happened, that’s a scary thought.”
Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said the council had been advocating for the State Government to find a solution to Lakeland health services for six years.
“A clinic is critical to support the growing population of Lakeland, including a large number of [Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme] and FIFO workers,” she said.
“Time constraints are evident in ambulance travel time from Cooktown to Lakeland, along with delays in the 510 rescue helicopter being deployed to site.”
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service executive general manager south Michael Catt said the organisation “regularly reviews and assesses all its services to ensure they meet ongoing community demand and expectations”, but would not specify if the development of a clinic at Lakeland was on the agenda.
“We are continuing to engage with the Cook Shire Council and local communities on planning for future health service needs at Cooktown, as well as the communities of Laura, Coen, and Lakeland,” he said.
“In the past, [TCHHS] has delivered limited medical and child health clinics to the Lakeland community in the town hall, all of which were subsequently suspended due to very low attendance numbers.
“Currently, health services for Lakeland residents are readily available at the Laura Primary Health Care Centre, 30 minutes away, or at the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service, which is 45 minutes away by car.”
Mayor Holmes said asking residents to drive more than 30 minutes for medical assistance, especially during an emergency, was an unrealistic expectation for residents and unfair on volunteer first responders.
“Council is aware the redevelopment of Cooktown Hospital is the priority, however, this does not negate the need for a clinic at Lakeland,” she said.
“Health facility upgrades are happening in western Queensland and Cow Bay, most of which are in close proximity to other facilities, so there is little reason for Lakeland not to be considered, given the unofficial population of almost 1000 residents.
“I have held and continue to hold the health portfolio [for the council] and will continue to strongly support the establishment of a health clinic at Lakeland”.
The State Government needs to make the development of a dedicated health clinic in Lakeland a priority if it is serious about opening up the economic potential of Cape York. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
