Health Department's decides: Nurses' quarters will be demolished

Despite a passionate group of community members fighting to save the “historically and culturally” significant building, the department have said they will “proceed with demolition in order to achieve the best outcome for local patients.”

But not all Griffith residents are upset with the decision, with Greg Adamson pleased focus on the hospital redevelopment can now take precedence.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Murray Austin Evans thanked the community for their feedback on the future of the nurses’ accommodation – after pausing demolition works and asking for alternative suggestions – but ultimately said it is “financially unviable” to keep the building.

Resident and building designer Sherene Blumer, who spent hours of her own time preparing alternative plans to save the historic 70-year old building – offering ways to utilise it to counter Griffith’s housing shortage, is outraged at the decision.

“They rejected my plan so quickly without telling me why,” Ms Blumer said.

“The NSW Government didn’t explain why demolishing the building is a good idea. We asked them how many taxpayer dollars they spend putting up travelling doctors and nurses in hotels. They refused to answer.”

However Mr Evans said the two submissions received during the three-week consultation period were not financially viable, with no identified funding sources for the refurbishment or for ongoing management and operations of the old nurses’ quarters.

“I have received a great deal of correspondence both in support and against demolishing the nurses’ quarters, and hope this announcement shows a clear way forward for the redevelopment of the Griffith Base Hospital,” Mr Evans said.

On the other side of the fence, Mr Adamson, who came forward to express his view a new hospital is worth more than an old building, is pleased work can now move forward on the redevelopment.

“I have always felt the discussion on a new hospital has always been about ensuring our community has the best health care services our community can access,” Mr Adamson said.

“While I see the discussion for saving the nurses quarters raised some valid points, and I respect the work and effort the committee has gone into saving the nurses quarters, at the end of the day, hospitals are about saving lives and this should always take precedence.”

Mayor John Dal Broi stood by his position throughout the process – trusting the Health Department to make the correct decision.

“I have been approached by people after the announcement, the silent majority, who are excited to move forward,” Cr Dal Broi said.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers spokeswoman Helen Dalton said the NSW Government’s “secretive” decision to demolish the Griffith Base Hospital nurses quarters shows their disrespect and contempt for Griffith.

“The NSW Government ignored community submissions on alternative uses for the nurses quarters. They are going ahead with their plans without giving us any evidence on the benefits of the bulldozing,” Mrs Dalton said.

Both Mrs Dalton and Ms Blumer criticised Griffith City Council for its inaction in helping to preserve an important part of Griffith history.

“Council stood by and let this happen. They had the power to stop it,” Mrs Blumer said.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s Master Plan is out for public exhibition until the end of July and the project team welcomes any feedback.

“Griffith Base Hospital Stage 1 redevelopment is vital to building the future of healthcare and servicing the health needs of the Griffith community,” Mr Evans said.

“Once the master planning process is complete, we will be able to identify the funding needed for the full redevelopment of Griffith Base Hospital.”

Watch Deputy Premier John Barillaro promising funding for the new hospital: 

Early works have started and construction of the new renal building is due to be completed this year.

See our full timeline of events below: