GLEN INNES, NSW — Work has officially commenced on the transformation of the former Essential Energy building at 148 Church Street into a state-of-the-art CT scanning facility that will enhance healthcare access for Glen Innes and the surrounding region.
The Glen Innes Severn Council confirmed that the front portion of the property is being fitted out to house the new diagnostic imaging service. Once operational, the facility will significantly reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for essential scans, such as CT imaging, while also strengthening specialist medical support within the region.
Earlier this year, the Council paved the way for the project by approving the sale of part of the former Essential Energy site to New England CT Pty Ltd, a locally owned family-run business committed to regional healthcare innovation. The initiative marks a critical step toward improving medical infrastructure and keeping healthcare services closer to home.
Director of New England CT Pty Ltd, Simon Betts, emphasized the importance of the development, noting that it grew out of an identified gap in local services. Drawing on his company’s eight years of healthcare experience in Glen Innes, Betts is spearheading the project to ensure the community has reliable access to modern imaging technology.
Mayor Margot Davis said the commencement of construction is a win not only for healthcare access but also for the local economy.
“Access to quality healthcare is a priority for our residents,” Cr Davis said.
“By enabling the development of this CT scanning facility, Council is not only improving essential medical services close to home but also supporting local business and industry. This project demonstrates how we can creatively utilise an under-utilised asset in the heart of Glen Innes to deliver tangible benefits for the community and the wider region.”“It’s a great example of Council playing an active role in fostering liveability, economic growth, and improved services for our people,” she said.
Beyond the health benefits, the project is expected to generate local construction activity, support trades, and contribute to the broader Glen Innes economy. Council leaders said this initiative is part of a longer-term vision to leverage unused public assets for the benefit of the community.
The CT scanning facility will bring advanced imaging capabilities to the region, enabling faster diagnoses and treatment pathways for conditions ranging from trauma and cancer to cardiovascular disease. By reducing delays caused by long-distance travel for scans, the facility is expected to improve patient outcomes and ease pressure on regional hospitals.
Council has pledged to provide regular updates as the project progresses, and community members are being encouraged to support the initiative. Once complete, the facility will stand as an example of local government and private business collaboration delivering tangible improvements to regional healthcare access and liveability.
Originally reported by NET Times.
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