Protests planned for Cudgen Tweed Hospital site as work begins

Farming groups say they will continue their efforts to move the Tweed Valley Hospital build, as rigs move on the Cudgen site.

The Relocate Tweed Valley Hospital Team continues to call for alternate hospital site. Hayley Paddon with supporters. Photo by Richard Gosling

FARMING groups say they are planning protests against the Tweed Valley Hospital, as rigs move on the Cudgen site.

Preparation works for the controversial $543 million hospital build have begun as geotechnical investigations commence on site.

The work involves a number of rigs which will take soil samples, with results informing the planning process for the new hospital.

It is understood the sale of the property is still yet to be finalised.

Relocate Tweed Hospital organiser Hayley Paddon said the group were still working to move the build from the Cudgen site, despite the NSW Government’s confirmation of the build last month.

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The confirmed Tweed Valley Hospital site.

The site confirmation followed a six week consultation period and examination of more than 35 sites across the shire.

Farmers in the area have argued against the move, as the build would take place on State Significant Farming land.

Ms Paddon said the group is now in the process of organising a peaceful demonstration at the site.

“People are getting pretty angry,” Ms Paddon said.

“It is frustrating this is still going on considering the taxpayers here are not happy.

“There has been no consultation at all that is why the community is so angry.

“We can’t get anyone in Sydney to take notice,” she said.

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A meeting on the selection of the Tweed Valley Hospital build site

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The Relocate group has also collected over 2000 signatures of those against building the site on state significant farmland.

“People say we are holding the build up but we aren’t, we are just being part of the process.

“We want to have a peaceful demonstration to show the pollies just how we feel,” she said.

The group who has called on NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian to visit, plan to demonstrate in the coming weeks.

A health infrastructure spokesman said the work on the Cudgen site is expected to have little impact on neighbours.

“Investigation activities are not disturbing any active farming on the site or surrounds,” the spokesman said.

The new Tweed Valley Hospital is expected to be completed in 2022 and open in 2023.