January 30, 2026
Early site works have commenced at Carey Park’s Jaycee Park as the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) progresses toward construction of the new Health Hub, a purpose-built facility designed to improve access to coordinated, culturally safe health and wellbeing services for the South West community.
Perkins Builders began mobilising onsite in late January, including installation of temporary fencing. Initial activities are focused on site preparation and full environmental remediation. These early works will include the safe removal of lead and asbestos under strict regulatory controls, which will require the removal of trees to ensure contaminated soil can be safely accessed and remediated.
To support community safety and minimise disruption, Perkins Builders will implement dust suppression measures and work within approved construction hours.
Major Public Access Impact – Train/Bus Station Access Closure
The most significant community impact during this stage of works will be the closure of access to the train and bus station from Forrest Avenue.
- Access from Forrest Avenue will be closed for approximately 18 months
- All public transport access will be via Picton Road only during construction
- Access from Forrest Avenue will be reinstated upon completion of the construction phase
Pedestrians and commuters are encouraged to plan their travel with this change in mind.
Park and Infrastructure Impacts
The current playground at Jaycee Park will be removed as part of the site remediation and construction requirements. The eastern section of the park, which represents about one-third of the site, will be returned to public open space once the project is completed. Any new playground infrastructure will be subject to future funding.
To accommodate future traffic flow to the new facility, a new roundabout and footpath will be installed on Forrest Avenue. SWAMS is working closely with the City of Bunbury on this component of the project, and dates will be confirmed once scheduled.
Construction will occur during standard weekday working hours, and traffic and access impacts will be managed in consultation with the City of Bunbury. Regular updates will be provided as the project reaches key milestones.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2027. Project updates will be shared via the SWAMS website (www.swams.com.au) and through other communication channels as major milestones are reached.
A formal ground-breaking ceremony will take place following completion of the site remediation phase.
A Project with Deep Community Significance
This development represents the realisation of a vision first imagined by Elders over 20 years ago. For the past 8-9 years, SWAMS – together with project partners – has worked continuously to progress this concept toward construction.
This milestone comes after a challenging 12 months of uncertainty for SWAMS, during which the project underwent re‑scoping, stakeholder engagement, significant value‑engineering and extensive cost‑mitigation processes, resulting in a smaller build than originally planned (to ensure the project remained within budget). Despite these challenges, the commencement of onsite works stands as a strong reminder of SWAMS’ resilience and our unwavering commitment to advancing culturally safe, community‑focused health services for Aboriginal people in the South West.
A formal sod‑turning / ground‑breaking ceremony will take place once site remediation works are complete (in approximately 16 weeks time).
The Health Hub’s culturally significant design has been shaped through multiple rounds of community consultation over many years, ensuring the final concept is culturally safe, community‑owned, and reflective of the aspirations of local Aboriginal people. An Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Aboriginal artists has also been launched, providing opportunities for local creatives to contribute to the cultural identity of the building through artwork, storytelling and design elements that honour Country, culture, and community voices. Artists can view more on this: https://www.swams.com.au/health-hub-artists-eoi/
The South West Aboriginal Health Hub is delivered by SWAMS with support from the City of Bunbury, and in partnership with State and Federal governments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are trees being removed?
The site contains historical contamination, including lead and asbestos. Full site remediation is required to ensure community safety. Trees must be removed to access contaminated soil and enable safe construction. New landscaping will be included once the project is complete.
Will construction be noisy or dusty?
Some noise and dust are unavoidable. Perkins Builders will implement dust suppression measures and work only within approved hours to minimise disruption.
How do I access the train station during construction?
Access from Forrest Avenue will be closed for approximately 18 months. All pedestrian access will be via the Picton Road entrance until construction is complete.
When will the open space reopen?
The eastern portion of the site will reopen as public open space on completion of the Health Hub, expected in December 2027.
More information and updates will be available as we reach significant milestones, including timelapse photos and community access details at www.swams.com.au or by calling (08) 9797 8111.
Below: Artist’s impressions of the future Health Hub.
