In a bid to save it from demolition, community members have banded together in the hopes of saving the building.

Led by resident and building designer Sherene Blumer, joined by Neville Dwyer, a proposal has been submitted to NSW Health Infrastructure outlining alternative health-related uses for the building.

Watch a video of their explanation below:

With two schemes proposed, Mrs Blumer looked at aged care facilities, accommodation for families living remotely as well as the possibility of housing hospital staff.

One scheme sees the pool revamped with the inclusion of a gymnasium and activity area.

“I identified the aged care, now on Kookora Street, needs to be on site, and so I’ve put in the facilities they have at the moment – access to day-care facilities, activities and gyms.”

“I have included consulting rooms and offices, some specialist consulting rooms and some rehab areas.”

“Everyone could use the hydrotherapy room and the site lent itself to a good ramp with hydrotherapy lifts.”

But not only the nurses’ quarters, Mrs Blumer has also included an alternative Master Plan design, and while “basic” in its detail, outlines how they could eliminate the need for temporary demountable buildings.

She proposes the new hospital be built on the other side near the nurses’ quarters itself, so there is no need to knock down any of the other buildings straight away.

“Where we have planned the new hospital, there are no buildings there at the moment, so you can actually build the hospital and still keep the services going in the meantime,” Mr Dwyer said.

“It will be cheaper than knocking down the buildings, finding temporary buildings and rebuilding it.”

“It will save lots of money. It has no impact on the hospital, it has no impact on the services, it has no impact on emergency or operation theatres.”

Mrs Blumer submitted her proposal on Friday last week and has yet to receive acknowledgement.

Mr Dwyer said community consultation and “open and transparent” information was called for, and said the situation now could have easily been prevented.

The pair have renewed calls for Health Minister Brad Hazzard to come and talk to Griffith “face-to-face".

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