The Kuku Yalanji people represented by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
Queensland
Far North Queensland
Nestled in the rainforest between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, the Cow Bay Primary Heath Care Centre represents a significant investment by Queensland Health in improving accessibility to health services for remote communities within the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service district.Â
The Clinic includes treatment space for first response, consult rooms for visiting clinicians, meeting and staff training facilities, administration and clinical support spaces. The Clinic is securely linked to a residence for staff and student accommodation. There is also a helipad for emergency use.
The Centre is completely off grid, with power generation from a rooftop PV array and battery storage facility with generator back-up. Water is sourced from a bore and rainwater storage, managed through an on-site treatment system. House drainage is also managed by an on-site treatment system. The Centre is an infrastructure exemplar for other remote facilities under consideration by Queensland Health.     Â
The original design brief required the facility to respond to the sub-tropical climate of Far North Queensland while respectfully incorporating the culture of the Traditional Owners.
The design team has delivered a wellbeing-focused primary health centre featuring generous open outdoor spaces and high-quality infrastructure. The clinic now serves the Daintree region community with a state-of-the-art health facility, including an accommodation building with fully self-contained student lodging. The local community will greatly benefit from this facility, which provides improved access to essential healthcare services in a modern, culturally respectful, and climate-responsive environment.
Shay Nichol, Project Architect
Steve Cahill, Project Architect
Rodgers Consulting Engineers, Civil Consultant
Rodgers Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Sequal Consulting Group, Electrical Consultant
Sequal Consulting Group, Engineer
Gilboy Hydraulic Solutions, Hydraulic Consultant
Landplan Landscape Architecture, Landscape Consultant
Baker Building Certification, Building Certifier
Gilvear Planning, Town Planner