The community now has a glimpse of the future of Griffith Base Hospital, with plans for it’s redevelopment now open for comment, amid concerns over population projections.
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The Health Services Plan is now available on the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) website, as well as Griffith, Leeton, other Councils and online.
Chief Executive Jill Ludford said the plan will stay online until Friday February 16 next year to get the public’s feedback.
“The plan provides guidance about health service needs in to the future and will assist in the development of a Master Plan,” Ms Ludford said.
“The MLHD Planning team have been working with local clinicians and other interested parties in developing the plan.”
The most paramount concern voiced by Business Chamber President Paul Pierotti is the estimated population of the Griffith catchment area used in the planning, which predicts a decrease in the serviceable population.
"I am extremely concerned, especially when you have such flawed and fundamentally wrong population numbers and growth projections,” Mr Pierotti said.
“I am thankful the MLHD have put this working document out to the community so we do get to have our say on this, and I would strongly urge all members of the community to review these documents and lodge comments.”
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Ms Ludford said the population data used for the draft plan was sourced from the 2016 Series Department of Planning and Environment Population Projects, non-amalgamated LGA version.
“The Local Health District welcomes comment and feedback from Council and the Griffith Business Chamber on future population projections which will be taken into account in future planning,” Ms Ludford said.
Griffith Mayor John Dal Broi said this is the perfect opportunity for the community to make their voice heard.
“I know there are people who have concerns over the population statistics in the plan, and I encourage them to put pen to paper and make a submission,” Cr Dal Broi said.
“I encourage residents to keep in the back of their mind that what we are going to have here is a great facility for the Western Riverina. I encourage people to not look at the base hospital in isolation, but to take it as going hand in hand with Saint Vincents.”
Ms Ludford says once this plan is finalised, a site master plan and concept plans will be prepared by the Project Team.
View the plan and submit your feedback at here.
