Plans revealed for state-of-the-art veterinary clinic at Aura Business Park

Well-known Sunshine Coast veterinarians Sebastian Olasek and Annabel Shepherd have revealed plans to build an innovative “Fear Free” veterinary clinic at Stockland’s Aura Business Park.

The ground-breaking concept in veterinary health care originated in America and aims to reduce an animal’s fear and anxiety around veterinary visits through measures including keeping cats and dogs completely separated from each other.

The new Aura Business Park clinic will include separate cat and dog waiting areas, consulting rooms and hospital wards, with soundproofing throughout to help reduce stress in both cats and dogs.

Dr Olasek and Dr Shepherd said the Fear Free concept had only recently been introduced to Australia and this would be the first clinic of its kind on the Sunshine Coast.

“We wanted to do something special at Aura Business Park and our purpose-built clinic will be a friendly, well-equipped facility with highly experienced professionals providing a wide range of specialised services,” Dr Olasek said.

Matthew Byrne, Sunshine Coast Senior Economic Development Manager at Stockland, said the two-storey veterinary clinic would be situated on a large corner lot with easy access off the Bells Creek Arterial, with construction expected to begin by mid-2019.

“This will be an exciting addition to the diverse range of businesses who have already invested in our state-of-the-art precinct,” Mr Byrne said.

“Our aim is to create a modern and innovative hub for entrepreneurs which is supported by the highest internet speeds in the nation through the nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet.”

Dr Shepherd said elements of the Fear Free initiative were already being incorporated into their existing practice, Chancellor Park Veterinary Surgery at Tanawha.

“Highly stressed animals are given medication before visits to reduce their anxiety and animals are handled in a gentle, force-free manner with plenty of treats provided to make visits a more positive experience,” Dr Shepherd said.

“Our new clinic will complement our current practice while offering additional services and procedures. Aura Business Park provides the possibility for new innovations and we’re aiming to build a clinic that is also environmentally friendly.”

Dr Olasek and Dr Shepherd have been operating veterinary practices on the Sunshine Coast together for 30 years. Dr Olasek appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise program in 2018 for his ground-breaking surgery on a cat using a human cardiac stent to relieve a urethral stricture.

The $215 million Aura Business Park is conveniently located adjacent to the Bells Creek Arterial Road within Stockland’s growing Aura community, which will ultimately be home to 50,000 people, and has easy access to the Bruce Highway.

The business park will comprise 180 light industry lots up to 4,000 square metres, large format showrooms and two commercial sites.

Construction is progressing well on the first buildings and the first businesses are expected to open around the middle of the year.

For more information on the Aura Business Park or to register your interest, go to www.cityofcolour.com. Alternatively, phone the project’s commercial sales agents on 0488 773 033 (Colliers International) or 0488 981 076 (Ray White).

Notes to editors:  About Aura

Aura is Australia’s largest masterplanned community held in single ownership, spanning 24 square kilometres. It is envisioned to become Australia’s most prosperous and connected community, contributing $1.5 billion in Gross Regional Product per year to the Sunshine Coast economy. Aura has been accredited with a 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.