The Eurobodalla community is a step closer to expanded and enhanced healthcare services with early works now underway at the site of the new $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard visited the site today (Wednesday March 1), marking the important milestone for the new state-of-the-art hospital which will transform healthcare for the Eurobodalla community from Batemans Bay to Narooma.
Mr Hazzard said the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the hospital has been finalised and will shortly be lodged with the Department of Planning and Environment.
“This marks a significant milestone in the planning for this new hospital, which will provide more health services than are currently available at both the Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will support core clinical services to be delivered at a role delineation Level Four, and has been informed by extensive consultation with clinicians, operational staff, community members, and local and state government agencies.
“Feedback from the local community has shaped key features of the hospital and we encourage everyone to view the latest plans and provide feedback as we move forward with this exciting project.”
Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland said credit should go to community members and groups such as the One New Eurobodalla Level 4 Regional Hospital for campaigning for the new hospital.
“The credit should really go to the community of the Bega electorate who have pressured the government to increase the money from the original $150 million which was inadequate, to $200 million which still wasn’t enough, to finally the $260 million which really should do the job of completing this hospital,” Dr Holland said.
“It’s been something the community has been waiting for since 2018 and what we really want to see is a digger in the ground,” he continued.
“We want to know when that hospital will be open, will it be open with Level 4 intensive care services as has been promised, and also what will happen with local radiation oncology services which Labor has committed to.”
Minister for Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said Aboriginal archaeological work will be carried out on site marking the important first step in early works construction.
“The local Aboriginal community has been central to helping shape the new health facility, and over the coming weeks, archeologists will be working closely with them to help identify significant Aboriginal objects or artefacts before construction commences,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is an important time for the community, which will see lots of activity happening on site over the coming months as we commence construction on the new hospital.
“Construction of a new roundabout on the Princes Highway will also start in the coming months, which will provide access to the hospital site during construction and become the main entrance to the hospital when it opens in 2025.”
The $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be a Level 4 health facility and services including:
· Emergency Department
· Eight-bed Intensive Care / Close Observation Unit
· Increased capacity for chemotherapy and increased access to renal dialysis
· Surgical and operating theatres and a day stay surgical unit
· Expanded medical imaging department, including MRI service
· Ambulatory care for community and outpatient services
· Paediatric and maternity beds, and a special care nursery
· Mental health beds for short term admission
· Enhanced education and training facilities, including a simulation lab
Construction of the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is due for completion in 2025.
It is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
The SSDA will be on public exhibition with the Department of Planning and Environment at: https://pp.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects
For more information about the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital development please visit the project website: www.eurobodallahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Images: Andrew Constance, NSW Government, Moruya Mail
Video: NSW Government
