Inglis stables ‘too far away’ to be suitable for expansion of Randwick hospital precinct

A HUGE stables holding owned by the Inglis family was ruled out by the State Government as a suitable site for the $720 million Randwick medical campus redevelopment as it was “too far away”.

Historical photo of the Inglis Newmarket Stables, Randwick. The site was rejected by the State Government for the Randwick hospital expansion because it was “too far away”. Picture: Inglis

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A HUGE stables holding owned by the Inglis family of champion horse breeders was ruled out by the State Government as a suitable site for the $720 million Randwick hospital campus redevelopment as it was “too far away”.

The 4.45ha Newmarket site, just south of the medical precinct, was sold last year to Cbus Property for around $260 million, but many Randwick residents have questioned why the government did not buy it for the hospital expansion.

Under the $720 million plan for an Acute Services Building with a new emergency department, operating theatres, wards and an emergency helipad, a total of 88 homes and small businesses ‒ 62 that are privately owned ‒ in Eurimbla Ave, Botany and Magill Sts will be bulldozed.

Artist impression of the Randwick hospital campus redevelopment that will include a new emergency department, extra beds, expanded rehab and ambulatory care facilities and new shared operating theatres.

A Health Infrastructure spokeswoman said a number of sites were investigated taking into consideration “the need for proximity to the existing clinical core and the change in campus accessibility resulting from the light rail project”.

“A number of these clinical services are shared with the Royal Women’s Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Prince of Wales Private Hospital,” she told the Courier.

“It’s therefore critical that the new Acute Services Building is located as close as possible to the clinical core of the existing Randwick Campus.

“The distance between the existing clinical core of the campus and the Inglis site is too far away to satisfy those requirements.

“Expanding the campus to the west is the best way to integrate health, education and research partners and deliver high quality co-located clinical services to grow Randwick as a centre for medical and academic excellence.

“Locating clinical care and research in a single setting allows researchers to understand the current clinical problems that patients are presenting with.

“This shared interaction allows researchers to undertake studies that are immediately relevant in the real world, with the results of these studies available to the treating clinicians without delay.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith outside Randwick’s Bright Alliance building. Picture: Craig Wilson

The Inglis’ site, which housed 600 stables, had been owned by the family since 1918 but was rezoned in 2015 and a large residential complex with eight storey towers and 750 apartments was approved by the Land and Environment Court in April.

Last week, the Courier obtained a letter dated April 16, 2004 where Randwick residents were told plans for a new “medical and biotechnological research centre” were not going ahead.

In the letter, Professor Mark M. Wainwright, acting Vice Chancellor, said: “UNSW, as you would be aware, has been seriously considering a proposal to create a major new medical and biotechnology research centre.

“This was outlined in a letter sent by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Wyatt R. Hulme, dated December 5, 2003 addressed to all property owners/occupiers in the preferred (ideal) site.

“After careful consideration by UNSW, it has been decided not to progress the development of the project in the area bounded by Botany St, Hospital Rd, High and Magill Sts (also encompassing Eurimbla Ave).

“UNSW remains committed to the establishment of a research centre addressing the medical and biological services and will be considering options for this to be created within its campus.”

Work on a masterplan for the Randwick hospital campus redevelopment has been underway since mid-2016 and construction is expected to start halfway through next year.

SECOND GREENS SENATOR FORCED TO QUIT OVER CITIZENSHIP

Under the State Government’s compulsory acquisition reforms last year, residents forced to give up their homes are entitled to compensation of up to $75,000 and will be assigned a personal manager to guide them through the process.

For details click here.