HEALTH MINISTER Brad Hazzard has confirmed the new $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital will be located opposite Kingscliff TAFE, following community consultation and investigation of alternative sites.
Mr Hazzard said the three alternative locations at Kings Forest, Chinderah and Cudgen Road were assessed against the original evaluation criteria, but the site opposite the Kingscliff TAFE was “the best site” for the new hospital.
“The NSW Government thanks Health Infrastructure, the community, landowners and Council for their time and participation in the site selection process,” Mr Hazzard said.
“As announced at the community forum on 18 June, Health Infrastructure shortlisted three sites based on independent expert advice and the assessment process was overseen by an independent probity advisor.
“These three sites were assessed against the original evaluation criteria and this, along with community feedback, has confirmed that the proposed site opposite Kingscliff TAFE remains the best site for the new hospital.
“The basis on which the Kingscliff (Cudgen) site has been chosen will be released to the community in an updated site selection report which I have asked Health Infrastructure to prepare and release as soon as possible.”
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest welcomed the announcement of the hospital site saying he was delighted the project can move towards the next phase of planning and design.
“On behalf of the doctors and patients of the Tweed I am delighted that we can now get on with building our new Tweed Valley Hospital,” he said.
“From here on in it’s full steam ahead.”
Health Infrastructure spoke to more than 600 residents during community engagement sessions, and received nearly 700 written submissions.
Around 50 per cent of residents said they supported the Kingscliff site at the community engagement sessions, a further 25 per cent were neutral, and the remaining 25 per cent opposed.
However, 44 per cent of residents were opposed to the site via written submissions, 32 per cent supported it and 24 per cent were neutral.
Mr Hazzard said community members can apply to join a project team to have their say on the planning and design of the new hospital.
“The NSW Government is getting on with the job and we will deliver the Tweed Valley Hospital as soon as possible. I have directed the project team to proceed with detailed planning and to get on building the hospital,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Over the coming weeks we will be advertising for consumer and community representatives to join the project team in planning and designing the new hospital.
