Bourke takes a major step forward in community health

Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service has appointed  Barpa Construction Services as the builder for the new Bourke Integrated Primary Health Care Centre.

This landmark project, funded by the Federal Government, is set to deliver a purpose-built health facility for the Bourke community, bringing all of BACHS’ services together under one roof.

The new Centre will provide consultation rooms with tele-health capabilities, a modern patient waiting area, and dedicated staff and administrative spaces. The facility is designed to be welcoming, culturally appropriate, and accessible for all community members. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2028.

The project is funded through the Australian Government’s Closing the Gap — Major Capital Works Program, administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). The program supports improved health infrastructure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

“This marks a proud and historic milestone for BACHS and the Bourke community. The new facility provides a modern, purpose-built environment designed to support the health and wellbeing of our community,” Jay Forrester, Chief Executive Officer of BACHS, said.

Barpa Construction Services is a proudly Indigenous-owned construction company, formed in 2014 through a partnership between the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations and Icon.

Committed to Indigenous employment

Certified by Supply Nation, Barpa operates nationally with a workforce of over 100 staff and offices across five states and two territories. The company has delivered health infrastructure projects in regional and remote New South Wales, including at Broken Hill, Buronga, and Hay. With more than 21 per cent Indigenous employment across its workforce, Barpa is committed to Indigenous employment and to supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses wherever possible.

“Barpa is honoured to be appointed to deliver this important project for the Bourke community. We share BACHS’s commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we look forward to delivering a facility the community can be proud of,” Ben Hardy, General Manager of Barpa, said.

• Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (BACHS) is the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service for the Bourke region of remote New South Wales. Incorporated in 1987, BACHS provides culturally appropriate primary health care to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of more than 800 people, including clinical care, population health activities, and allied health programs.