In excess of $2 million will be spent on the facility which will be walk-in walk-out, meaning medical staff do not have to buy into the surgery in order to practice.

It is hoped this flexibility and modern facilities will allow our town to entice more medical professionals.

$500,000 of the more than $2 million set aside for the project was provided by the Federal Government in the May Budget. Mayor of the Forbes Shire, Councillor Miller said these funds had been a “big help” in getting the project off the ground.

Cr Miller said the purpose of the centre will be to attract new medical professionals to the area but also to, “relieve pressure on our existing doctors who are working 24/7.”

She said the planning process had taken a considerable period of time and funds for the project have been placed in ­reserve.

She said matching the needs of doctors and the community with council’s budget had been a long process but a necessary one.

“We hope the new centre is everything they [doctors] want,” she said.

Forbes has received multiple setbacks on the road to a redeveloped hospital. Cr Miller said the beginning of the project showed Forbes was serious about its medical services.

“Basically it’s a clear message to State and Federal governments that we’re serious about keeping our hospital in good shape,” she said.

The building will be located in Elgin Street opposite the Forbes and District Hospital and will be an 850 square metre steel framed building.

It will feature brick and metal external cladding and will see the town’s doctors operate out of one facility.

All things being equal the Medical Centre is expected to take 26 weeks to complete.

“I believe this is going to be a really good thing for the town of Forbes,” Cr Miller said.