New hospital given green light
The project has received a major approval.
Central & North Burnett
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central & North Burnett. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE first development application for the $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital has been approved by the NSW Department of Planning.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest told the Tweed Daily News the State Government had approved the project's Environmental Impact Statement, allowing major construction contractor Lendlease to set up shop and begin early works on the site.
A second development application for the hospital building's design is due to be submitted in the near future.
Mr Provest said the new hospital would provide a huge boost to the region's economy.
"The Tweed Valley Hospital project is forecast to have up to 650 workers on-site at the peak of construction," he said.
"In addition, there will be a significant increase in operational jobs which will be determined through detailed work force planning."
He said the hospital would cater to a population that is expected to grow by 24 percent over the next two decades.
"It's so important that health services in the Tweed region can accommodate future growth and the demands of an ageing population," Mr Provest said.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the project has gone through a rigorous assessment process and feedback from locals had been taken into account.
"The project has been approved subject to conditions that address the issues that the community has raised, including impacts to state significant farmland," Mr Stokes said.
Mr Stokes said conditions of the approval included requirements to manage impacts of noise, dust and air quality on surrounding residents and visitors to the area.
Other conditions include on-going consultation with the community and those likely to be impacted by the development, while topsoil on the site must be reused for landscaping or other purposes.
The project must also identify opportunities for incorporating edible plant varieties within the landscape design for the future hospital.
Originally published as New hospital given green light
Watch: Bridge daredevils record themselves cheating death
Police say they are aware of a video of people diving from the extreme height of an arch straddling the Dickabram Bridge at least 30m above the Mary River near Gympie. Watch the video
Massive drug bust: Men arrested, 1750 cannabis plants seized
Detectives have charged two people and destroyed a large cannabis crop on a farm near Bundaberg as part of ongoing investigations into a national drug syndicate. SEE THE VIDEO
Federal environmental approvals delay firm timeline for Paradise Dam
Sunwater has come under fire after refusing to set a timeframe for restoring Paradise Dam’s 300,000ML capacity, with frustrated growers demanding urgent action to fast-track construction.
‘Oh my god’: Singer reduces Kyle Sandilands to tears on Australian Idol
A Bundaberg beauty therapist with a passion for country music has made it through to the 2025 Australian Idol top 30, and reduced one of Australia’s toughest radio personalities to tears on the way.
Shots fired onto private property spark search for illegal hunters
As police continue to investigate a number of frightening incidents of shots being fired in the South Burnett, illegal hunters near Kilkivan and Goomeri are firmly in police sights.
Loved ones of missing mum make urgent plea after her disappearance
Police have released new information as friends and family of a Queensland woman urge anyone with information “no matter how big or small,” to come forward after the mother was last seen travelling on a southwest highway.