“This is a massive goal for us and it is all due to the huge effort the community put into supporting this project,” Cr Rhonda Hoban said.

“There was such a clear need and with our growing and ageing population, that need is only going increase. This hospital should stand us in good stead now for the next 75 years, meeting the needs of the young, the old and the families.

“Sometimes you get so caught up in the detail of the daily things and forget what we have achieved … this, the dam, the highway bypass plus we’ve broken the back of the bridge replacement program. I’m thrilled.”

The Member for Oxley and the NSW Minister for Roads, Melinda Pavey, said the building was designed to look out over the valley and was an example of quality architecture.

“Real thought has been put into how the environment will be for patients,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The community consultations we had here 18 months ago were a chance to stop, catch our breath and listen.

“Getting the extra cash made all the difference and now we are building this fit-for-purpose modern facility. It’s great to see this and it’s great getting things done for this community.”

A look through the floor-plan shows a clear, clean layout with a prominent entry leading into a two storey building that houses the emergency department and ambulance reception on the ground floor with theatres, recovery areas and administration upstairs, covered by a large, light-giving atrium. 

In-patients will be housed in two low-rise wings out the back.

There will be 150 parking spaces, three times as many as the current hospital and it will be free.

With the event held at the old ambulance training station at the current Macksville Hospital, Media and Corporate Communications Manager for Mid North Coast Local Health District, Lynn Lelean, said behind her was the 1950s era of hospital-building, and in front of her on the plans was the 21^st century project that paid attention to the environment, energy efficiency and aspect.

The community is welcome to view the designs and video this week at information sessions to be held at Bowraville, Macksville and Nambucca Heads:

Tuesday – Bowraville Recreation Club 2pm-6pm

Wednesday – Macksville Ex-Services Club 2pm-6pm

Thursday – Nambucca Community and Arts Centre 2pm-6pm 

* Schematic design comes after the concept design is finalised. It is department focused and looks at how rooms and services will relate to each other, taking into account as to how the business of the hospital needs to ‘flow’. It gives clinicians, staff and other stakeholders a greater level of understanding of what the new hospital will look like and how it will work.

HOW WE GOT HERE:

Hospital freshly minted

New home for Macksville Hospital