The demographics in Goulburn are changing; many more people are moving from Canberra to Goulburn to live and commute and retirees are also moving from Sydney, which would make private facilities a viable proposition. Private facilities would also attract general practitioners and specialists to Goulburn to practice and live instead of the present trend of practitioners working in Goulburn but living elsewhere and with no commitment to the people of Goulburn.

Community sentiment, however, appears to be against this option, killed off by the loud and raucous voices of the militant Health Services Union employees and local Labor Party. The loudest voices are not the most knowledgeable, however, and the case for privatisation has not been helped by the seeming disconnect between the State Health bureaucracy and the State Health Department.

At one stage we are told arbitrarily by the bureaucracy that Bourke Street Health Service is to close and then the decision is reversed. Unfortunately it appears that our local member, Pru Goward, has been “the meat in the sandwich” in this regard (GP Oct 14) and she has been unfairly criticised by the militant voices and by the Goulburn Post (Editorial, Oct 19).

In fact, the lack of respect shown to our local member is appalling. One day I noted a four wheel drive vehicle parked in Auburn Street with derogatory remarks against Ms Goward emblazoned all over it. It appears that the criticism is exceeding the realms of civility and succumbing to the recent trend of ‘I am right, you are wrong, agree with me or else’. Our local elected member deserves more respect as she is undoubtedly doing her best in trying circumstances.

The Goulburn Post is not blameless in this matter. As a Fairfax publication it should be adhering to the motto ... ‘Independent Always’. However … the Goulburn Post, which has shed many of its staff, is left with commentators who lack the intellectual rigour to be independent.

In the long run, health facilities have to be funded adequately and if this is not to include a private facility, much more than $120 million will have to be spent on Goulburn Base Hospital to service the needs of a growing and ageing population.

May I share the following extracts from a letter sent by the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Corrections et al?

‘The NSW Government is seeking the best educational and vocational outcomes for all inmates… It has been determined a model using external providers for most educational services offers the greatest opportunity to improve the delivery of educational and vocational education training to inmates. 

‘Corrective Services NSW already engages a number of external providers who deliver education and vocational training programs in correctional centres.

‘CSNSW will maintain high educational standards and outcomes through the delivery of accredited courses and the employment of staff who meet the same standards as required by TAFE and other registered training organisations.’

Would there be comments from other readers? I have nothing but an outsider/layperson’s knowledge, but I have a firm view that governments should run services for the population and that when the need to make a profit is the main consideration, cuts of every variety are more than likely.

Re: Costly drama (GP Oct 21): The headlines clearly state the position of the proposed Performing Arts Centre by converting the magnificent E.C. Manfred former Town Hall building.

Cr O'Neill is voicing what was always obvious: $8.2 million was The Impossible Dream, as this figure, stated by operations manager Matt O'Rourke, originally excluded seven major costs. The now estimated $11.4 million still excludes many costs, which realistically could double the original figure.

Manfred Park on the corner of Glebe Avenue and Auburn Street was named after E.C. Manfred. Now that the wish-list for the theatre has been formulated, has anyone questioned the cost of constructing a purpose-built Performing Arts Centre on this unused, council-owned land in the main street with ample parking? As the editorial says of the former town hall, "there is no provision for car parking costs" (p8) and previous articles have mentioned underground parking at the McDermott Centre.

Now the council has endorsed employing a full-time centre manager to pull in business. This duplicates council's failed idea at the Veolia complex, further managed by reducing fees for regular users and free entry for out-of-town users to guarantee their return.

Mr Bennett says: "Council still has to prove it is fit for the future" (p3) and the calculated $11.4 million cost so far is arrived at by including $2 million in 'other grants' possibly from the State Government. This request for further funding on top of the $1 million federal grant will really prove that the council is fit for the future by asking for another donation, turning this drama into a comedy.