Cobram 2025 Cobram Strategy Plan - Moira Shire Council

Cobram Strategy Plan
Final Report
and social facilities, including educational and health will increase. However as a
Social Plan for the municipality is currently being prepared, it is considered more
appropriate that this project quantify and qualify the projected demand and supply
for such services.
10.4 Community Facilities Strategy
10.4.1 General Provision of Services and Facilities
The Strategy Plan recommends provision of appropriate community services and
facilities as a sustainable level and mix of such facilities is important in achieving a
functional town. The Plan should be flexible to accommodate the location of
additional services and facilities once a demand and site has been identified.
Issues associated with the provision of community services in part relate to the
residential growth that is occurring within Cobram and its surrounds. Population
forecasts and the ageing of the population indicate that there is likely to be a
significant increase in demand for health and community services over the coming
twenty years. There is a need to ensure that the infrastructure and systems are in
place to support the additional demand.
10.4.2 Medical Services
The Cobram Hospital occupies land to the north east of the town centre, on
Broadway Street. The hospital serves the local catchment and provides 17 acute
beds and 5 day stay beds. It also has an emergency department. The hospital is
located nearby to medical consulting rooms and the co-location of adequate levels
of support facilities such as medical consulting rooms and aged care facilities in
the form of a medical precinct is supported.
Adding to the need or demand for medical and health facilities is the ageing
population of Cobram and its surrounds. Whilst the demand for medical facilities
is market driven; not land use planning driven, it is recommended that the
identification of an appropriate location for a medical precinct be incorporated into
a land use plan (this Strategy Plan). As such, this Plan shows a medical precinct
around the existing hospital.
An overview of medical and health care services in Cobram and the Moira Shire
will be undertaken as part of the Social Plan. It is suggested that any relevant
recommendation from the Social Plan be incorporated into an amended Strategy
Plan.
The report noted that the greatest need for additional services that are accessed
by older people are specialist medical services, doctors/general practitioners and
public hospital facilities. Overall, the report identified the need for a general
increase in health care for the elderly.
While the encouragement of medical specialists to relocate to Cobram is outside
the scope of this Strategy Plan, the Plan should be flexible so as to facilitate the
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