Grafton Base Hospital’s $263m redevelopment in early planning stages

The long-awaited $263.8m redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital is finally set to begin, but the state election could throw a spanner in the works. Here’s why.

The long-awaited $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital is finally set to begin, but the crucial upgrade could be up in the air after the state election.

Health Infrastructure NSW has confirmed the upgrade is in the early planning stages.

“The project team has recently released the master plan for the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment,” a spokesperson said.

“This shows the key areas for development on the site and how it will support the expansion of clinical services in line with the Clinical Services Plan, which is currently being finalised.”

Project planning will continue this year, alongside community consultation sessions.

The spokesperson said the redevelopment will deliver modern health facilities to support best practice models of care.

“Enhanced health facilities and services will strengthen the region’s healthcare,” they said.

Grafton Base Hospital. Picture: Debrah Novak

An overview of the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment. Picture: Health Infrastructure

Last month, Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis announced the release of the upgrade’s master plan.

“The master plan is a critical step in moving forward with the rebuild of Grafton Base Hospital,” he said.

“It provides the local community with an exciting opportunity to not only find out more about the early planning but also a first-look at the design of their new local hospital.”

The master plan covers three zones:

- A new building zone for a multistorey clinical services building and main public entry.

– The retention zone, which ensures existing buildings are retained.

– A future development zone that allows for green space, carparking and potential future expansion.

However, Mr Gulaptis has put forward the hospital as an election issue.

He said “the only way to guarantee” the hospital would be by re-electing him and the Nationals on March 25.

Labor has revealed Leon Ankersmit as its candidate for Clarence.

Mr Ankersmit is CEO of Anglicare North Coast and has spoken about supporting families throughout the region with the better provision of services.

Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis announced the release of the upgrade’s master plan last month.

The Greens have put forward Greg Clancy, who is Deputy Mayor and used to work as an ecologist

It’s understood the candidates have not yet spoken publicly about the hospital upgrade, but the need for the redevelopment is well known in the community.

Clarence Valley councillor Richie Williamson said health care was the number one priority those living in the region.

“We’ve waited a long time for this upgrade and it’s terrific to see the Nationals fully committed to delivering this priority project,” he said.

“Today we are another step closer seeing this project realised.”

The redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital has been in the pipeline for years.

Mr Gulaptis announced the upgrade in 2019 following a community campaign.

But questions were raised about the project during the election that year when ALP candidate for Clarence Trent Gilbert expressed concern over the lack of detail in the plan.

“I am just concerned that all this is a hollow election promise,” he said.

“If he was fair dinkum about this then they would have a timeline to go with the announcement and room in the budget.

“If they want us to take them seriously they need to tell us when it will happen and identify a funding source in the budget.”

ALP candidate for Clarence Trent Gilbert expressed concern over the lack of detail in the plan.

Mr Gulaptis said funding for similar major projects was delivered in stages after extensive planning and he was committed to starting the project.

“(The funding) is obviously going to come from the Health Infrastructure budget and while we have other projects being built, we now need to work out exactly how we will do it,” he said.

The Grafton project was not delivered. Disappointed, the Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee erected a large banner in Prince St demanding action on hospital upgrade.

The five-metre long banner on the balcony of the former Weileys Hotel adjacent to the city’s iconic clock tower featured caricatures of Mr Gulaptis and then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee erected a large banner in Prince St demanding action on the Grafton Base Hospital upgrade.

Clarence Mayor Ian Tiley said the council welcomed any progress on the redevelopment of the hospital.

Mr Tiley said the commitment made by Mr Gulaptis prior to the 2019 election for construction to commence prior to the 2023 election “has not eventuated”.

“Regardless of who is in charge after the next election, it is imperative that we see the building stage funded in the next Budget,” he said.

“Council will continue to lobby the NSW Premier, Minister for Health, Member for Clarence, and candidates in the upcoming NSW election to ensure that funding for the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment is forthcoming.

“The proposed infrastructure is of critical importance for the whole Clarence Valley community and we simply cannot allow the plan to stall.”

The hospital upgrade is being delivered in partnership between Health Infrastructure and the Northern NSW Local Health District.