Logan City Council has welcomed today's announcement of Meadowbrook as one of the sites for the keenly-anticipated Brisbane Southside GP Super Clinic.
The facility will be operated by The University of Queensland (UQ) in collaboration with Mater Health Services, Medihealth Meadowbrook and John Douglas Pharmacy.
The $7.5 million model is to be funded by the Federal Government and will incorporate facilities at both Meadowbrook and Annerley.
Logan Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, said she was delighted with the announcement, adding the GP Super Clinic would play an invaluable role in easing pressure on Logan Hospital.
''I believe this Super Clinic will go some way to easing the burden and stress on Logan Hospital and help the region as a whole,'' she said.
Cr Parker said Council had been working in collaboration with Federal Member for Forde, Brett Raguse, and Federal Member for Rankin, Craig Emerson, to bring the Super Clinic to fruition.
''Any increase in medical services provided to our community is welcomed whole-heartedly and I believe this Super Clinic will have a major impact on our city's current medical services,'' she said.
''I have been acutely aware of the need for additional health care resources in Logan for many years and for our city to be selected as the location is a real shot in the arm for the health of our residents.''
Cr Parker said today's announcement and the recent opening of innovative medical businesses, Scientific Educational Supplies and Mediquip, on University Drive was further recognition of Meadowbrook as the city's medical innovation hub.
It is expected 50 health professionals, including more than 30 general practitioners, some in part-time positions, are expected to work from the Super Clinic. Both Super Clinics will provide chronic disease and pain management, mental health, musculoskeletal, palliative care and pharmacy services. The Meadowbrook site will provide: a refugee and disadvantaged person's service; a maternal and women's health service; a paediatric and early intervention clinic; and dental service.
The Meadowbrook-based Super Clinic is expected to begin operation in 2011 and the majority of services will be bulk-billed.
Councillor Luke Smith (Division 6) said the approval for the Edenlea Drive facility would help achieve Council's goal of establishing Meadowbrook as the medical precinct for Logan City.
''This is just fantastic for Logan - to have the Super Clinic and Queensland Health's main administration centre here is just going to be brilliant for us and for the region,'' he said.
Cr Smith said the Super Clinic would offer specialist and general medical services.
''The Super Clinic is to take care of the sniffily noses and the broken bones - it is for everything other than what a hospital should be doing,'' he said.