Nickol Bay Hospital site rezoned for development

Development on the site of the old Nickol Bay Hospital is likely after the City of Karratha council passed a motion to rezone the land at a meeting last month.

The site was previously zoned “public use — health” but the council unanimously endorsed a proposal to rezone it for “urban development”.

Mayor Peter Long said after the closure of Nickol Bay Hospital, a review of the former hospital site was required.

“The site is owned by the State Government and contains disused buildings which the State Government plans to remove,” he said.

Health Minister Roger Cook said he was pleased and relieved the rezoning had been approved.

The rezoning will make the land available for an alternative use once the buildings have been removed.

According to the council agenda, the change will facilitate future development “which is likely to include a range of residential housing with a mixture of lot sizes... with the potential (to) include aged care, with an estimated yield of 100 dwellings”.

Parks and supporting infrastructure including roads and footpaths will also be required.

The land will be subject to further detailed planning by council.