At the committee meeting held on January 18, Paul Pierotti from Griffith Business Chamber said Health Minister Jillian Skinner would not be looking at the base hospital until the private hospital project had been completed.

Mr Pierotti stated his concerns regarding the private ownership of the sterilisation facility and lack of provision of access to and from the private hospital to the base hospital.

It was believed the private hospital had been designed in such a way to allow for a covered walkway between the hospitals, but no undertaking from the state government had been forthcoming in respect to funding a walkway.

Mr Pierotti told the meeting the long term financial viability of the private hospital needed to be assured and the issues of the sterilisation unit and patient access need to be addressed.

Concerns about the sterilisation unit were raised by St Vincent’s Health during the early stages of the private hospital negotiations in 2013. 

The Area News reported plans for the hospital had stalled in the first half of 2013 when a stalemate evolved between St Vincent's and the department of health over who would fund the vital sterilisation unit.

Two years later, St Vincent’s Health confirmed the company would seek to recoup the cost of the $2.3 million sterilisation unit from the community.

The Business Development Committee had resolved to write to Ms Skinner, local member Adrian Piccoli and Murrumbidgee Medicare Local to express concerns about the sterilisation unit, access between the hospitals and future funding for the base hospital.

Council general manager Brett Stonestreet advised the private hospital project had received $16 million funding from the federal government with a condition of the grant being the hospital would operate for 20 years.

When asked what would happen if St Vincent’s Health pulled out after the initial five year lease, Mr Stonestreet said council attempted to have the condition removed but the Commonwealth refused, so as to ensure taxpayers’ funds would be used for the purpose they were granted.

“They did stress to us at that meeting, however, that making a call on a proportion of the grant funds would be an absolute last resort and would be highly unlikely,” Mr Stonestreet said. “They advised that they would work with us and give us ample time to secure an alternative hospital service provider.”

All of the private hospital infrastructure including the student accommodation is completely owned by Griffith City Council. 

Mr Stonestreet said St Vincent's Health were “absolutely committed” to the project and he was very confident they would be in Griffith for the very long term.