“There was a lot of public backlash about the partnership but our main interest is that the best possible hospital is built,” she said. “We still want to be involved in the process. We’d love to work with the public services that perhaps the $120 million can’t meet.”

Ms Ashton said she was concerned about the number of specialists Goulburn would attract, with most looking for a dual public-private work environment. 

“It’s not disappointing. Now that it’s public we can go ahead with a day surgery and we won’t be in an unknown direction like before,” she said. “We can provide private services and add to the medical repertoire.”