$1.3b state-of-art Bankstown Hospital gets greenlight
The $1.3 billion Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, one of the biggest election promises made by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, will be built, with funding allocated in the Budget.
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The new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital has been assured of its $1.3 billion funding under the 2019/2020 Budget, with the local council urging the government to build it in the CBD next to the Western Sydney University campus.
Tuesday’s Budget, however, did not allocate any funds for a much-needed Canterbury Hospital, with its state Labor MP Sophie Cotsis saying this facility is always neglected despite poor waiting times and shortage of staff.
The plan to redevelop the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on Elridge Rd was a massive campaign pledge by Premier Gladys Berejiklian. She announced the funding on March 11. The Western Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and WSU have in the past backed the idea of the new hospital in the CBD. No site has been announced.
The clinical services plan, which involves the requirements of the medical staff, is already underway and until that is done, no site will be determined.
“The clinical services plan is a complicated one and will take some time,” East Hills state Liberal MP Wendy Lindsay told the Express.
“Preliminary planning for the project has already started and early works construction will begin in this term of government.
“The NSW Government has committed $1.3 billion for the redevelopment of Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.
“This is the single biggest commitment to any hospital in NSW and I am incredibly proud that we have been able to secure this commitment for my community.”
Ms Lindsay, whose campaign to replace retiring fellow Liberal MP Glenn Brookes was strongly supported by the Premier, said the Canterbury Bankstown Council will be involved in the final planning for the hospital.
The new hospital will include enhanced emergency, critical care, medical and surgical services.
“On behalf of our community, I have personally met with the Manager of the Local Health District, the General Manager of the Hospital and the Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard to ensure we receive the best possible health care on our doorstep,” Ms Lindsay said.
Mayor Khal Asfour, said the government should work with the council for the planning of “such an important piece of public health infrastructure”, saying he prefers it to be built in the CBD.
“Having said that, for this to work here and to prepare CBCity, I believe Bankstown railway station must be placed underground,and Stacey St widened between the M5 and Hume Hwy,” Cr Afsour said.
“To place it away from the CBD would be selling short the numerous opportunities for creating accessible jobs, education,research and healthcare in our region.”
“I have called on the Premier and Planning Minister to establish a steering group which can help guide the planning process.
“In moving forward with a new hospital, it is important to understand the troubles that face the existing one, with the greatest failing being its location, with difficulty of access by any means other than a private car, the absence of any complimentary land use adjoining it and the competition for parking on residential streets.
“As a result, to me, the only sensible option is positioning the new hospital in Bankstown’s CBD, which already has access to public transport options, other medical services nearby and Western Sydney University working towards establishing a new campus there.
“This is a trend other leading cities throughout the world are taking on, such as Boston (MIT), New York (Columbia University),Philadelphia (Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian).
CANTERBURY HOSPITAL NEGLECTED
The NSW Government has not allocated a single dollar for major upgrades to Canterbury Hospital or local schools in the 2019-20 Budget, said Canterbury state Labor MP Sophie Cotsis.
“Canterbury Hospital and our local schools are increasingly stretched,” Ms Cotsis said.
“The cost of projects like the Sydney light rail has blown-out by $1.1 billion, however the Liberals have not allocated a cent in this year’s budget to upgrade Canterbury Hospital or our local schools.”
“The Berejiklian Government plans to add 13,000 more homes to Belmore, Campsie and Canterbury over the next 20 years.
“Canterbury Hospital urgently requires a major upgrade to cope with existing demand and accommodate future growth,” she said.
“I have started a petition to upgrade Canterbury Hospital and our local schools,” Ms Cotsis said.
Lakemba state Labor MP Jihad Dib also said his electorate had been neglected in the Budget allocations.
“I am very disappointed that yet again, the electorate of Lakemba did not receive any significant funding specific to our needs,” Mr Dib said.
“Schools scheduled for an upgrade still have no start or finish date, nor any indication of funding.”
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