After nearly a quarter of a century at its High Street premises, Kyneton-based Cobaw Community Health is on the move.
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A year since works commenced, Cobaw Community Health now calls nearby Caroline Chisholm Drive home.
The new facility was made possible thanks to a $9.7 million grant from the state government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
The site will replace Cobaw's High Street, Kyneton office.
Cobaw Community Health chief executive Margaret McDonald said the new building is a vital part of local infrastructure.
"This has been built first and foremost for the community, our clients and staff," Ms McDonald said.
All of Cobaw's existing services will continue to be offered, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, LGBTIQ+ groups and homelessness support.
In addition, the increased space the new building affords will allow visiting services to grow in coming months.
"The community will always need warm or cool meeting spaces," Ms McDonald said.
"We can welcome adhoc groups into our multipurpose room and are in negotiations with a number of other organisations to make use of space in the building."
A lack of physical space has restricted the extent and frequency of services in the past, something the new building caters for.
"Our consulting spaces have increased from four to 13," Ms McDonald said.
"We have more car parks for clients and brand new community facilities like a kitchen, bathroom and laundry."
Staff will also be better accommodated at the Caroline Chisholm Avenue building.
"Our staff spaces are now completely separate from client spaces," Ms McDonald said.
Aesthetically, the building is a mix of exterior cladding and intricate brick work designed to reference the local history and architecture of the Macedon Ranges.
"The grey cladding is reflective of the bluestone rock and brickwork found extensively in the area," Ms McDonald said.
The doors of the new building are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Ms McDonald says the health service is open for business.
"We have been delivering services in a different way," Ms McDonald said.
"Telehealth has been a big part of our service delivery and we are also making essential face-to-face visits, if required."
The pandemic has given the health service opportunities to innovate.
"We know there are clients who are finding this situation more challenging than others," Ms McDonald.
"There have been some client groups who have enjoyed the ease of joining groups or consults online."
"One Voice Community Choir is one of the community groups that has had an increase in participation since the coronavirus pandemic restricted social gathering."
Cobaw Community Health's Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey sites are all currently closed.
To access services, contact 1300 026 229.
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