The council has called for far more detail on plans for parking during construction of Goulburn Base Hospital’s upgrade.
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Work on the $120 million project is proposed to start later this year but council general manager Warwick Bennett says there’s little clarity on the issue.
“We are concerned that construction is commencing in September and they haven’t yet had meaningful discussions on what will be the parking requirements during this time,” he said.
“The Mayor and myself have made it very clear to them that whatever they do during the process in regard to parking could have a serious impact on the community and the way people travel around the city.
“We need to undertake a meaningful consultation. We don’t want to be told in July about something that could impact in September and doesn’t give the community enough warning.”
Mr Bennett’s comments came before a much awaited Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the upgrade was placed on public exhibition on Thursday. It does not canvass parking arrangements during construction.
He and Mayor Bob Kirk met up with Southern NSW Health District CEO Andrew Newton in Goulburn last week.
The GM was pleased that parking at the site post construction would increase by 54 spaces. But in the meantime, he questioned how staff and tradesmen would be accommodated and the parking arrangements for those leaving the building late at night.
“We need to answer those questions. If it has an implication for the council, we need to look at it,” he said.
Mr Bennett said any arrangements during construction could impact on Clifford Street. One option could be to close this street between Faithfull and Albert Streets while building was underway.
He has also suggested that the hospital’s helipad could be used for parking and Prell Oval for helicopter landings. Another option is to utilise land on the corner of Mount and Fitzroy Streets for temporary spaces.
“But they just don’t know. They haven’t progressed far enough for my liking,” Mr Bennett said.
The EIS will be publicly exhibited until April 23 and submissions are invited.
Health Infrastructure NSW had not responded to a series of questions regarding pre and post construction parking by the time of going to press.
The EIS outlines three new car parks accessed from Albert Street, Goldsmith Street and Faithfull Streets, with a total 139 spaces. It will mean a total 196 spots upon completion.
Meantime, Mr Newton addressed a Goulburn Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday.
He told members that the hospital upgrade was moving into the detailed design phase, deciding what would be in each room.
“We don’t want to build a box and then decide what will go where. We’ll be working with staff to get the best outcome,” he said.
The four-storey building includes intensive care, a high dependency ward and medical ward on the top level. A surgical ward and area for day only procedures would be below, along with a peri-operative suite and procedure room.
A sub-acute ward, Palliative Care and paediatrics would be on the ground floor, as well as a new oncology unit. Bed numbers increase by 23 overall.
The Health District is also talking to private enterprise about retail on the ground floor, such as a newsagency, florist and pharmacist. But before any construction starts, infrastructure upgrades or “early enabling works” are underway.
In answer to a question, Mr Newton said personnel numbers would increase and the hospital would be staffed in accordance with “legislative requirements.”
“We have a workforce plan and it is quite detailed,” he said.
“...It is timely replacement of staff that’s important otherwise we fall back on using locums and that is not good from a quality of care point of view.”
Mr Newton acknowledged that recruitment and “staff churn” were issues and to this end he was working with partners such as councils, schools and educational institutions on retention. He has already spoken to Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Chamber about “selling the region” to health professionals as an attractive place to live
The redeveloped hospital would also link with existing health services, such as the Bradfordville Health Hub, which he had visited.
“It may be that we share some resources because there’s no need to duplicate them,” Mr Newton said.
He told the meeting it was the seventh hospital development in which he had been involved.