Minister for Health Brad Hazzard has today confirmed the new $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital will be located opposite Kingscliff TAFE, following extensive community feedback and support for the greenfield site.
“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.
“Health Infrastructure has advised me it will make the report public in the next week or so, after it has met the shortlisted landowners and briefed them on the assessment.”
“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 with building the hospital.
“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,” Mr Hazzard said.
Geoff Provest, Member for Tweed said: “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. From here on in it’s full steam ahead.”
During community engagement sessions, more than 600 people were spoken to, and nearly 700 written submissions were received. Around 50 per cent of people spoken to supported the Kingscliff site; a further 25 per cent were neutral; and the remaining 25 per cent opposed.
For more information, please visit the project website at www.tweedvalleyhospital.health.nsw.gov.au