Council waives fees to kick-start Clifton hospital expansion

A NON-PROFIT hospital in Clifton is on the verge of building major extensions after council gave a preliminary pledge to waive $130,000 in infrastructure fees.

A NON-PROFIT hospital in Clifton is on the verge of building major extensions after council gave a preliminary pledge to waive $130,000 in infrastructure fees.

Clifton Co-Op Hospital secretary Judy Rickert said plans were under way to create a new diversional therapy complex before the year's end.

"It is mostly for activities in aged care," she explained.

"It will incorporate a boardroom and a function room for the whole complex.

"It means we can have more activities and outside entertainment coming in.

"We have 23 high-care patients, 15 low-care and 12 hospital patients... they will all benefit."

The plan also includes construction of a new medical centre for the Clifton community, with a five-year margin available for its completion.

"We have until 2018, but we would hope to have it done before then," Mrs Rickert said.

Council's $130,000 contribution will be spent on water supply, sewerage, stormwater and transport infrastructure.

A unanimous decision to support the waiver will need to be authorised during council's meeting next week to be finalised.

"That would be a huge help to us," Mrs Rickert said.

"We're a not-for-profit organisation, so every cent counts."

The Clifton Co-op Hospital moved to its current site in 1972 after its formation in 1949.

It is one of the town's largest employers with more than 50 staff working across the complex.

Originally published as Council waives fees to kick-start Clifton hospital expansion