The news the development application for the new Macksville Hospital is on public exhibition with the Nambucca Shire Council invited to comment on possible consent conditions, inevitably led to a discussion about funding for the reticulated water and sewerage to the greenfield site at Thursday’s council meeting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In February Health and Infrastructure wrote to the council advising it was not in a position to provide funding assistance, in spite the council having offered to share the cost dollar for dollar as well as waiving application fees and any applicable headwork charges.
The rejection was a real slap in the face (Bricks but no water for Macksville Hospital) forcing the council to look elsewhere, including a funding under the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies Fund. It is also a major risk factor for the project.
The mayor Rhonda Hoban, said the council had already agreed to put $600,000 on the table as its contribution.
“I am now seeking a meeting with the Premier to make a representation about this … this is important and what we want is so minor”
- Cr Rhonda Hoban
“I am now seeking a meeting with the Premier to make a representation about this … this is important and what we want is so minor,” Cr Hoban said.
“It is an unusual situation for a local community to offer to pay for a State government facility … I only hope the Premier will also see it that way.”
She said it was always good when the two levels of government worked together and she would love to see a partnership formed for this project.
The $73 million hospital, which will be built on the old RMS site north of Macksville, will be a three-storey building with back-of-house, plant and food services at the basement level.
The ground floor will include the emergency department, maternity, acute inpatient care, Aboriginal liaison, community health, cafe and more. The first floor will be administration and theatres.
Hospital bed capacity will expand from 42 to 58 beds.
In a moment of levity that left onlookers initially bemused, Cr Brian Finlayson said he thought the design would be better served to incorporate more flowing lines, “to better mirror the sense of well-being one gets at the beach”.
“Only joking Madame Mayor! I like the hospital plans and think they will be a great asset to this community,” Cr Finlayson said.
The DA and Environmental Impact Statement can be viewed by clicking here. Submissions are due by Wednesday, August 15.