After months of discussion and a passionate community campaign, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has announced demolition of Griffith nurses’ quarters is underway.
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A campaign led by Sherene Blumer had fought to save the buildings due to their “cultural and historical significance” but NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the cost couldn’t be justified.
MLHD confirmed the beginning of demolition in a statement on Wednesday.
“Demolition of the former nurses’ quarters at Griffith Base Hospital is underway following the completion of asbestos removal and soil remediation. The demolition process is expected to be completed in the coming months,” it read.
“The Griffith Base Hospital Master Plan is out for public exhibition until the end of July and the project team welcomes any feedback.”
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Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Murray Austin Evans had previously paused demolition works to open the matter up for public discussion and potential solutions, but ultimate said saving the building was “financially unviable”.
The community group responsible for the campaign held a rally over the weekend in a last-ditch attempt to rally support behind the cause.
“We’ve been through a process, the health minister has made the decision and demolition will proceed,” Mr Evans said.
Organiser Sherene Blumer told a crowd of 50 about similar buildings that had been redeveloped and re-purposed.
“The rally went as well as could be expected. Around 50 people came and listened. It was more of an information session to let people know feedback was still open,” she said.
After eight months of campaigning, Mrs Blumer says she can come away knowing she tried her hardest.
“I’m sad to see the building go, but I’ve fought hard for eight months now. To see it go is just such a waste of resources and facilities,” she said.
At the rally she also pointed to the awarding of the inaugural NSW Architecture Medallion was awarded to a similar building that had been re-purposed in Zetland.
"The architect who won the award has offered to come to Griffith free of charge to explain how valuable it would be to save the building," Ms Blumer said.
What can be saved?
Griffith Base Hospital’s redevelopment team has confirmed they plan on donating several salvaged parts to the community.
- Fire place mantles (4no.)
- Handrails and treads from the stairs
- Doors (86no.)
- Windows (10no.)
- Ground timber flooring (50m2
- First floor parquetry (150m2)
- Bricks (500no.)
The team says it encourages community applications “with a preference given to community members or groups” who are able to:
- Propose a community related reuse for the materials
- Propose to take all materials to be salvaged
- Have an immediate use or a storage yard identified
- Can arrange for their own transport to pick up the materials
Applications closes August 3. To learn more, please visit http://www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/get-involved
