Emma Pritchard
The unveiling of the master plan for the $264 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) has been described by Des Harvey of the Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee (GBHCC) as a miniscule step forward.
“The Minister and others might think it’s a major step, but in our opinion, there is still no funding other than just a mention of funding,” he said.
“There is a promise of $263.8 million, but that has been around for too many years.
“We’ve also had a promise that construction will commence before March 2023, and we know that’s not going to happen.
“We’re still talking about planning.
“In my opinion, and that of many people I speak to in the community, the planning really was completed back in 2015, and that’s the reason that the government was able to come up with a figure of $263.8 million, so they knew specifically how many nails, screws and alike were involved in the job.
“Back in 2015, the government knew what was going to be involved in the construction, and unfortunately it hasn’t happened.
“Planning is something that can go on forever.
“At some stage you have to stop and say, ‘we are going to start building’ and that’s what we’re not getting the information about, and I think the community wants to know what’s happening.”
Mr Harvey recounted the multiple figures including $20 million, $24 million, and $1 million which have previously been announced by the government in relation to the GBH redevelopment.
“There are question marks about where that funding is, but more importantly, we want to know when are we going to start (construction), and when is it going to be finished?” he said.
“Our community need this hospital.”
When asked if he and other members of the GBHCC had had an opportunity to view and discuss the master plan following its unveiling on January 24, Mr Harvey said while it “does take us forward in some way”, he said it is “at least an indication that there is some form of construction that is going to occur.”
“But as far as I can see, there is no money in the budget for it, and until there is money in the budget, nothing happens,” he recalled.
“We’ve now got something to look at, and the community has something to look at, but it is a matter of when is it going to be funded, and I don’t think we can continue on this basis of more planning, more planning, more planning, because nothing will happen while we are still talking like that.”