Two sites bought as practice strives to offer patients more holistic care

Medical plan to expand

A RESIDENTIAL strip at the corner of one of North Queensland’s busiest intersections is set to be transformed into commercial premises after an agreement to develop a medical practice.

Strive Health and Physiotherapy has acquired two sites – at 703 and 705 Ross River Rd – and will develop a new, expanded facility around the corner from its current site in Thuringowa Drive.

Townsville’s

Corinthian Constructions will build the new facility and hopes to secure clients to redevelop another three properties it holds at the corner of Ross River Rd and Thuringowa Drive.

Long- time Townsville doctor Ron Malpas, who operates Strive Health with partner Dr Hayley Ansell, said they were looking to widen their services to provide more holistic care.

“We really want a modern, up- to- date facility with more practitioners – GPs, nurses, specialists, dietitian and physiotherapist – to make it more a team and holistic experience,” Dr Malpas said.

“The centre will have five consultation rooms, four treat- ment areas and a gymnasium.”

Dr Malpas said the ability to relocate around the corner was ideal. The two sites of 809sq m each were acquired for $ 750,000 for the development.

Ray White Commercial Townsville principal Graeme Russell said these sorts of de- velopments had been a feature of the Kirwan area before the global financial crisis.

“When the market was going there were quite a few conversions of homes into professional offices along Thuringowa Drive and Ross River Rd,” he said.

“The GFC caused a lot of those projects to be put on hold but that appears to be passing now and we are moving on.”

Corinthian Constructions owner John Mahlouzarides said it had organised development approvals and was preparing to start work.

He hoped to secure similar redevelop deals on three remaining parcels at 697, 699 and 701 Ross River Rd.

“It would be good to find a user for the three sites combined but we would do them individually if that’s the way it pans out,” he said.

Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS MODERN MOVE: Dr Ron Malpas, from Strive Health and Physiotherapy, and Corinthian Constructions owner John Mahlouzarides check their plans in front of the site for a new medical centre along Ross River Rd in Kirwan.