Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows—

I am once again advocating for an essential investment in the future of the northern corridor of Pearce—the establishment of a hospital in Yanchep. This is not a new call. It is one I have consistently made on behalf of my community because I have seen firsthand the extraordinary pace of growth in Yanchep and the surrounding suburbs. I have spoken with families, with seniors and with young couples moving into new estates, all of whom are building their lives in this region. With that growth comes a clear responsibility to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our community.

Recently, we welcomed the opening of the Yanchep Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. This was a significant and much-needed step forward. It is already making a real difference for local families by providing timely care closer to home and easing pressure on our emergency departments. It means fewer long trips for basic urgent care, less strain on hospitals further south and better outcomes for patients. But we know this is not the final destination; it is only just the beginning. The urgent care clinic lays the groundwork for what must come next—a community hospital in Yanchep.

Yanchep, Two Rocks, Alkimos and Eglinton are among the fastest growing communities in Australia. Thousands of new residents are moving into the northern corridor each year, and that growth shows no signs of slowing. Schools are expanding, new businesses are opening, and transport links are improving, but healthcare infrastructure must keep up with this momentum. At present, many residents still face long travel times to reach a full-service hospital. In emergency situations, those extra minutes can make a critical difference.

For families with young children, for seniors with complex health needs and for those requiring ongoing treatment, access to care should not depend on distance or travel time. It should be reliable, local and accessible. A community hospital in Yanchep would build on the foundation we have already established. It could begin as a smaller, well-equipped facility delivering urgent care, overnight stays, outpatient services, maternity support and diagnostic services. Importantly, it should be designed with the capacity to expand over time, growing alongside the community it serves. This is a practical and staged approach. It is responsible planning, and it reflects the reality of a region that is no longer emerging but established, expanding and in need of infrastructure to match. It is about planning not just for today but for the decades ahead.

Importantly, a hospital in Yanchep would also relieve pressure on existing hospitals further south. Facilities such as Joondalup Health Campus are already experiencing high growing demand. By providing services closer to where people live, we can create a more balanced, efficient and sustainable health system across Perth's northern suburbs.

But, beyond planning and projections, this is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that families in the northern corridor can access care close to home. It is about giving confidence to new residents that their community is supported by essential services. And it is about delivering the level of health care that every Australian community deserves. I will continue to advocate for this outcome because the case is clear, the need is real and the opportunity is now. I raise this issue again to emphasise that the next step is obvious—to build on the success of the Yanchep Urgent Care Clinic and commit to delivering a hospital for this large and fast-growing community.