The City Health Centre in Canberra's city centre is expected to remain closed for up to four more weeks as asbestos testing and remediation continue. Infrastructure Canberra has indicated the facility, located at the corner of Alinga Street and Moore Street, may not reopen until August 7.
Building Tenants and Services Affected
The building houses several critical services, including the MSI Canberra Abortion and Contraception Clinic, BreastScreen ACT, the CanTEST pill testing service, and the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN). The temporary closure began on July 1 after testing on June 29 revealed materials in the building's plant room contained asbestos.
Infrastructure Canberra reported that additional monitoring, testing, and specialist investigations have been ongoing since the closure was announced. Initial tests showed that several busy areas across multiple floors were free of asbestos-containing materials, even with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system operating normally, according to the government agency's update on Thursday evening, July 9.
Pending Test Results and Remediation Work
However, results from the remainder of the testing program are still pending. Based on advice from specialist consultants, the building cannot be used while cleaning and remediation activities are underway. Infrastructure Canberra stated that experts, test results, and cleanup progress will determine when the building can safely reopen.
"Current estimates indicate the closure may be required until 7 August to allow remediation works to be completed and to ensure the building can be safely reoccupied," the update said. "The health and safety of building occupants, staff and visitors remains the highest priority."
Support for Affected Tenants and Patients
Infrastructure Canberra is collaborating with the Health and Community Services Directorate, Canberra Health Services, and Economic Development to support affected tenants and minimize disruption to essential services. All patient appointments scheduled at the City Health Centre have been or will be rescheduled, according to a notice on the Canberra Health Services website.
The CanTEST team announced on social media that a free drug-checking pop-up site has been set up in the Directions Health Services office at Woden.
Historical Context of Asbestos Use
Construction of the building, originally for the ACT Health Service, began in the 1970s before self-government, when asbestos was still widely used in building products in Australia.
