Members of the Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee (GBHCC) met with the Clarence Valley Independent last week to discuss their opinions surrounding the recent announcements regarding the $263.8 million redevelopment of the Clarence Valley healthcare institution, revealing that overall, they are “pleased with the current standings and progress which has been made to date.”
Ron Bell, Phil Belletty, and Des Harvey also welcomed a $14.2 million investment announced by the NSW Government last month to fund 36 new one-bedroom apartments at the currently disused former Grafton Gaol site to provide accommodation for regional healthcare workers and agreed it will compliment the full redevelopment of GBH.
While confirming they maintain a close professional relationship with Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, who they are in regular communication with regarding the project, members of the GBHCC also revealed they have reached out to the NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park since this edition of the Clarence Valley Independent went to print.
In their correspondence, they extended their appreciation to the Minister regarding the announcement of the 2024-25 Budget commitment to Stage 1 Upgrading Works for the GBH redevelopment, and expressed a number of additional points they would like to discuss with him and his departmental representatives, including the varying degrees of population projections provided by several data sources for the Clarence Valley which range from 54000-64000 by 2030.
The GBHCC identified health infrastructure data, which indicates population projections of 54000 in 2030 as problematic while citing recent population figures as being around 55000 in mid-2024.
They said due to increasing annual growth across the region, population projections seemed more realistic at 64000.
In their letter, they also drew attention to the relocation of the maternity unit and highlighted the development zones which are planned for future stages while outlining the benefits of consolidating these areas into one tender amidst construction costs which they said seem to be normalising.
GBHCC members also raised the issue of the $263.8 million price tag, which dates back to 2015, and asked while construction and labour costs have increased substantially during the last decade, the 2015 estimate remains unchanged.
Mr Belletty, Mr Bell, and Mr Harvey also told the Clarence Valley Independent they are interested in attaining information relating to the recent addition of the Clarence Correctional Centre (CCC) to the region, stating the1700 bed facility was “not on the horizon” when the GBH upgrade was initially announced.
Mr Belletty said GBHCC members would like to know if a secure area in Stage 1 for the inmates has been allocated to relieve pressure off local staff and security services.
The GBHCC said they remain committed to working tirelessly to establish respectful, trustworthy, and open lines of communication with relevant Government authorities and are deeply appreciative of their ongoing efforts and assistance as they project moves forward.
The Clarence Valley Independent will meet with members of the GBHCC again once they have received a response from the Minister’s office.