NSW Government vows to splash $1.3b on Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
The NSW Government has announced a massive $1.3 billion redevelopment of the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital but the big question is where will it be built.
The Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital will be rebuilt at cost of $1.3 billion and provide state-of-art facilities for the booming population if the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government are re-elected at the March 23 elections.
Now, the big question is where will it be built.
The promise to rebuild the present hospital at Eldridge Road, Bankstown, was announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who visited the hospital on Monday morning.
She met Panania’s Elaine Crockett, who has been using the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital since 1969, and told the Premier she was delighted with the planned redevelopment.
The new hospital — to be built on a yet-to-be named site — will provide the latest in emergency medicine, surgical services and critical care.
“We have a strong track record when it comes to delivering health infrastructure, having
already built or upgraded more than 100 hospitals and other health facilities across the
State, with another 100 on the way,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped hospital would transform the delivery
of healthcare in Bankstown and surrounding suburbs.
Liberal candidate for East Hills Wendy Lindsay said the new facility will increase the capacity for local communities.
Bankstown state Labor MP Tania Mihailuk said a high rise hospital in the centre of the city will not work.
“The Premier fails to rule out this new hospital being privatised, just like the northern beaches disaster — it is simply desperation on the eve of an election,” Ms Mihailuk said.
“This desperate announcement is stalking horse for more overdevelopment.
“Berejiklian has announced a high rise hospital likely to be in the CBD of Bankstown, with no guarantee that it won’t be privatised.”
“Why can’t they just upgrade the existing Bankstown hospital and stop selling off public hospitals to developers?
“Labor will upgrade and expand the existing Bankstown Hospital — unlike the Liberals we will never privatise Bankstown Hospital, it will remain in public hands.”
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour also said it should not be built in the centre of the CBD while advocating for a better hospital at Canterbury.
“Of course I would welcome a new hospital for our residents, but you can’t build a new hospital in the Bankstown CBD if no-one can get to it and so Bankstown Railway Station must be placed underground, and Stacey St has to be widened between the M5 and Hume Highway,” Mayor Asfour said.
“We also have another hospital at Canterbury. It too is an aged building and requires immediate attention.”
David Borger, Executive Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber, said the new hospital will stimulate the Bankstown town centre, attract smart jobs and encourage public transport use.
“The proposal to move the hospital into the middle of the city will be transformational for the
area,” Mr Borger said.
“It isn’t every day you get the chance to relocate a major hospital and create hundreds of
knowledge jobs right in the centre of town.
“This is a great opportunity to attract high-end workers to Bankstown and boost the local economy.
“The community will benefit from an expanded, major hospital with world-class facilities
and with it will come the best of the best workers.
“Great cities need a good mix of retail and residential as well as access to public transport
and walkability.
“Bankstown already has all the ingredients to make it a huge success, plus the new
hospital site will be close to TAFE and universities.”
Western Sydney University’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor Dr Anduy Marks is pleased the hospital is being redeveloped.
“This commitment to a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is very significant, not simply for the health of the south west but for jobs, investment and, most importantly, community outcomes,” Dr Marks said.
“While a site has yet to be announced, it is clear that the co-location of health services with universities, schools and vocational institutions can fast track the benefits to the community.
“WSU is embedded in all major health and education precincts in the west — Liverpool, Westmead, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Nepean.
“A new Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital could deliver similar outcomes.”
However, former Canterbury Deputy Mayor Barbara Coorey said the new plans for the hospital “are just a recycled promise which has never seen the light of day”.
“I challenge the Premier to disclose which site she proposes,” Ms Coorey said.
“If it is the TAFE site in Bankstown, we will fight her all the way
“The hospital can be rebuilt on the present site and TAFE can remain for our community.
“The Premier has not allocated one cent for this hospital in the 2019 state budget.”
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GAME CHANGER
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Executive Director, Adam Leto, called the idea a game changer.
“Relocating the hospital is a game-changer that will not only bolster health outcomes for residents in the region but help totally reshape the CBD of Bankstown,” Mr Leto said.
“The Dialogue has been a strong advocate for the relocation of Bankstown Hospital to the heart of the city, recognising its role as an economic and urban renewal catalyst, and this recent announcement is a positive step forward that is likely to ignite even more investment and interest in Bankstown.”
“Canterbury-Bankstown is the largest local government area by population in the state and this funding goes part way to ensuring it reaches its potential.”
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