Eurobodalla Regional Hospital: Two potential zones identified for new health facility
Two potential sites for a new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital have been flagged by the State Government. NSW Health Infrastructure is now seeking further community feedback after it released the two potential zones for a new hospital.
The South Coast News
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The two most likely areas for a new Eurobodalla Hospital have been identified.
Sites north and south-east of Moruya have been found as the best sites. A a combination of factors were considered, including accessibility, proximity to population areas and local infrastructure such as Moruya airport and environmental impacts.
Road access and connectivity with a planned Moruya bypass and avoiding flood and bushfire zones are critical to site selection.
The general areas identified are greenfield sites to the east of Moruya TAFE and the Moruya industrial areas. It’s expected the land to be used will be a mixture of private and Crown Lands.
Over the past week representatives from Southern NSW Local Health District and Health Infrastructure NSW have held meetings with health district staff; Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services.
Meetings have also been held with residents in Batemans Bay, Narooma and Moruya advising them of the process to build a new regional hospital.
On June 11, the State Government announced a further injection of $50 million, bringing the total investment to $200 million for the new hospital.
Following the completion of the Eurobodalla clinical services plan work has begun on the master plan for the site.
In Moruya on Wednesday, July 1, NSW Health Infrastructure project director Matt Malone said the aim was to finish the hospital within three to four years on a greenfield site.
“For a new hospital we’re looking around the four to five hectare mark, but that will need to come under consideration [during] planning,” he said to the community meeting.
Health Infrastructure is meeting monthly with Transport for NSW as they work together through the early planning process of both the hospital and Moruya bypass.
During the forum questionnaire transport issues for elderly patients who don’t drive were raised. Chair of the forum Southern NSW Local Health District general manager Lisa Kennedy said an on-demand bus service that is used in the Bega Valley was a suggestion the health service was looking into.
Other suggestions included using the TAFE as a training facility, ensuring the site was sustainable with car charging stations and an ICU unit.
Mr Malone said the project team was now seeking feedback on the suggested site zones. Residents can expect additional drop-in sessions to be announced in the coming weeks.