Edith Cowan University has officially launched the ECU Health Centre Yanchep East, offering a range of primary care, allied health, and mental health services in the rapidly expanding northern suburbs of Perth.
“As Yanchep continues to flourish, access to affordable health services will become even more vital in the next five to 10 years,” said ECU’s Executive Dean of the School of Medical and Health Sciences, Professor Moira Sim.
“The site will also offer clinical training and research opportunities for ECU students and staff,” she added.
Ability WA will become the first service provider to start operating out of the new Yanchep facility from August, and in 2025, the ECU Psychological Services Centre and Counselling Service will open.
Ability WA’s CEO, Ms Jacquie Thomson said the Yanchep centre would offer such services as specialist therapy, home and living, community participation, assistive technology and disability employment services.
There are two co-located sites in central Yanchep, on Yanchep Beach Road between Booderee Road and Kakadu Road, with road access from Ikara Lane and located within walking distance of the Yanchep Central shopping centre, with accessible public transport routes.
The second building, ECU Health Centre West, is anticipated to commence operations in mid-2026 and hopes to attract specialist services such as sonography, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, child, and maternal health, as well as community health and wellbeing.
Yanchep and the surrounding northern suburbs are one of the fastest-growing urban corridors in WA and overall, the suburban corridor from Eglington to Two Rocks is facing a total population growth of more than 400% by 2046.
Last month the State Government opened the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension Project, which has extended train services 14.5km from Butler north to Yanchep.
WA Minister for Health and Mental Health, Ms Amber-Jade Sanderson, said the Government’s $8.1 million contribution to this facility would provide community-based care options within the Yanchep town centre,” she said.
The Yanchep community experiences a range of health issues which include high rates of chronic disease, emergency department presentations, potentially preventable hospitalisations, and mental health issues.
The ECU Health Centre is the culmination of many years of advocacy led by ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd with the support of local, State, and Commonwealth governments, as well as private partners and community consultation.