Gympie council wants hospital future in Wide Bay Regional Plan

The omission of any reference to the future of Gympie’s embattled hospital services in the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan has the council asking what’s going on?

Gympie council acting CEO David Lewis (inset) is flagging several concerns with the state government's proposed new Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan, including the "silence" around the future of Gympie Hospital's development to keep up with demand.

The murky future of Gympie’s hospital services continues to haunt the state government with the council now urging it to outline what its future will be.

The issue has been flagged in a letter to be submitted to the state government as part of the assessment of the proposed new Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan.

The plan outlines the strategic future development and direction of the regions.

In a submission being sent to State Development Minister Steven Miles, backed by councillors at Wednesday’s meeting and to be accompanied by a letter from acting CEO David Lewis, seeks clarity about the plans for the region’s top health facility.

The future of the hospital has been under a cloud, with MP Tony Perrett agitating for the state to commit to building a new facility amid concerns the population has outgrown the existing one.

Gympie councillors have flagged a lack of detail abut the future plans for Gympie Hospital, which has been a lightning rod for controversy amid concerns it is unable to keep up with the region’s growth.

The council notes concern “the draft plan is silent on the future of Gympie Hospital and the need for it to evolve to meet the needs of the Gympie region community”.

“This has been a longstanding issue of concern to the community and should be addressed by the Regional Plan,” it said.

The decision to send the submission followed debate on several items around the plan.

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Councillors were told the proposal was a “change in style and character” form the existing one, which was geared towards population and growth.

The new focus was on economic development and the opportunities in the region.

The concerns about the lack of detail on Gympie Hospital in the proposed Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan is being flagged in a submission to State Development Minister Steven Miles, along with several other points the council would like clarity or confirmation on. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

This included a possible industrial development at Curra.

In the letter, the council said it supported much of the state’s proposed plan, including the desire to develop a skilled workforce.

However, if it was to “put people at the forefront” it needed to be aware of and act in the interests of those living in satellite towns like Kilkivan, Goomeri and Tansey.

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As such it needed to include “more consideration and recommended actions to improve connectivity and accessibility in more remote communities”.

A proposed “dark sky” area near the Cooloola Coast was flagged as another potential issue.

It relates to a band along the coast where efforts will be made to reduce the light overspill and pollution that might impact on nesting shorebirds or nesting turtles.

Councillors were told work was underway to ensure the band did not impact on future “reasonable” development in the area.

The council is calling for more clarity and guidance on the future housing supply plans, given the ongoing shortage which has crippled the region.