Dampier set to get its own pharmacy

The long vacant coffee hut space in Dampier Community Hub will become a town pharmacy after the City of Karratha accepted a business proposal outside the site’s original hospitality scope on advice all other avenues had been exhausted.

At a council meeting last week, City councillors voted to execute a new 18-month lease, with a possible extension, to pharmacy provider HWHW Corporation over the 18.34sqm commercial space.

HWHW Corporation was the sole respondent to a City request for proposal advertised in August, after 360 Health surrendered its lease over the GP clinic and adjoining hut, and is the only potential operator to have expressed interest since February.

Mayor Peter Long said a small pharmacy would be a valuable extra service for Dampier community members.

“Providing a pharmacy in Dampier will complement the Dampier Community Hub GP Clinic and provide a convenient service for Dampier residents,” he said.

“We are looking forward to working with HWHW Corporation Pty Ltd to extend the services currently provided at the Dampier hub and continuing our work to activate the area as a focal point for the community.”

HWHW Corporation is believed to be a Perth-based pharmacy operator the director of which has three chemists in the South West.

Part of its Dampier business plan is to support the GP service next door, which has been confirmed to continue under another provider. The City’s previous coffee hut lease agreement with 360 Health has been terminated.

Other options for the coffee hut which councillors considered at the meeting included incorporating the space into the Dampier library or continuing to advertise for a hospitality proponent.

City officers recommended that the choice be made based on community service and impact rather than council cost.