Rockbank residents are getting behind a push to build a pharmacy in their neighbourhood, with an online petition collecting close to 600 signatures so far.
Pharmacist Julian Daffy proposed building a pharmacy within the Woodlea development at Rockbank, but his application to the federal health ministry was rejected in May.
He started the petition to support a second application.
Mr Daffy said that one of the conditions for building new pharmacies was that there must be a supermarket within new housing areas – but a supermarket is not planned for Woodlea until at least 2020.
“The decision not to approve means that, under the current pharmacy location rules, residents of Rockbank will be denied a local pharmacy until a supermarket of sufficient size is established,” he said.
“We already have a doctor who’s willing to move in with the pharmacy to service the community, but without approval of the pharmacy the doctor won’t be able to open.
“The rapid expansion of this community and the delay until the Woodlea Local Town Centre is established means that the thousands of people residing and working in the Rockbank area will have to travel several kilometres to other suburbs to access pharmaceutical benefits.”
The nearest pharmacy to Woodlea is in Melton, 6.7 kilometres away, and the next- nearest is Caroline Springs, 9.6 kilometres distant.
“Residents will be required to commute by car via busy freeway or by using very infrequent public transport services,” Mr Daffy said.
“These desperately need upgrading to access pharmacy services in the neighbouring suburbs, Melton or Caroline Springs, whose residents in stark contrast enjoy walking- distance access to numerous pharmacies.
“This lack of access to essential pharmacy services greatly disadvantages the most vulnerable in the community, including the elderly, young families and those without access to a motor vehicle.”
Mr Daffy, a Melbourne resident, is also involved in pharmacies in Teesdale, Smythesdale and Grantville.
Upon completion, the Woodlea development will have about 7000 homes and 20,000 residents.
More than 1200 lots have been purchased in the past 17 months.
To sign the petition, go to: chn.ge/29wIJgS
