Labor is hitching its wagon to the apparent “folly” of Goulburn Base Hospital’s redevelopment in the upcoming State election.
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But, to use another equine analogy, it may very well be backing the wrong horse. Labor has rightly pointed out that “wasteful” stadium rebuilds shouldn’t take priority over regional infrastructure. Yet the reality is that planning for and work on the hospital’s redevelopment will be too far down the track by the time of the election.
A contract for preliminary work has already been let. It’s also highly likely that a development application will be approved in coming months and another contract let for the main construction before the year is out.
Is Mr Foley really suggesting that all this could be wound back? Not really. On Thursday he was hedging his bets by not locking Labor into a new hospital and making no funding commitment.
Despite the site’s challenges, Goulburn and district residents are pretty much wedded to the fact the hospital will be upgraded on the existing site. That’s not to say questions about its suitability aren’t valid. Even Goulburn Mulwaree Council is questioning whether parking provision will adequately cater for growth, to say nothing of the proposed bed numbers.
All that aside, the election is heating up. Even the Nats are getting antsy, doing polling in the seat on the back of an apparent rumour that the Liberals Pru Goward won’t run in 2019. She has rejected this outright. If true, that leaves Liberal and Labor and a seven per cent margin, which is still a significant challenge for Ursula Stephens.
Huge Anzac Day turnout
It was great to see such a large turnout to the Anzac Day ceremonies in Goulburn and across the district.
It just shows that the Anzac spirit is alive and well.
Judging from the number of young people taking part in the marches and ceremonies, it is comforting to know that tradition will be kept alive into the future.
The great show of pride in the annual commemoration is particularly poignant in this year - given it is the 100th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in WWI.
No doubt there will also be a large turnout to this year’s Remembrance Day commemoration in November. We hope there are no hitches in the work on the new museum extension at Rocky Hill, enabling the ceremony to take place there.
