Local resident and pharmacist Karen Rees-Pikett launched a petition six weeks ago, to have a pharmacy licence approved for a location at Jungarra Crescent. 

“With no access to an approved pharmacist, this community is left without reasonable, timely or adequate access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS),” Karen said. 

The licence has not been approved due to pharmacy location rules. 

Karen is the owner of Lake Cathie Medical Centre Pharmacy and the rules state she can not own another pharmacy unless it is located at least 10 kilometres away. 

“I launched the petition to appeal to the Minister to overlook that rule and to instead take into consideration the needs of the community,” she said. 

Karen’s petition has gained the support of nearly 3000 locals, Port Macquarie Hastings-Council Mayor Peta Pinson, Local Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie. 

Dr Gillespie presented Parliament with the petition and said it draws the attention of the House to the fact the community is without reasonable access to the supply of pharmaceutical benefits, by an approved pharmacist.

“Considering there are 3000 people living in Bonny Hills and 2813 signatures have been received, you can see how vitally important this issue is,” Dr Gillespie told Parliament.

“Health affects everyone.

“We have one of the older demographics in the country in the Lyne electorate, and the beautiful area of Bonny Hills, nestled between the Camden Haven River and Lake Cathie, really could do with more services.

“It's growing at an amazing rate.”

Karen is lodging an application for Ministerial Discretion on Pharmacy Location. 

“This will outline a number of important factors including population growth, the demographics and new services in the area,” she said. 

Karen said there are a lot of people who have mobility issues in Bonny Hills and this makes it incredibly difficult for them to travel south or north to the next nearest pharmacy. 

Over the weekend of the Back to Bonnys Festival, Karen’s petition garnered 1300 signatures. 

“The community support for this has been incredible,” she said. 

Karen said the petition would have included over 3000 signatures, but some were discounted because people did not include their full name. 

Karen fought for two and a half years to get the pharmacy at Lake Cathie established. 

“I’m prepared to fly down and talk to the Minister personally,” she said. ​