Community input sought for new healthcare facility

Liberal candidate for Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick, is encouraging communities across Batemans Bay and surrounding areas to help guide the design of a new $20 million health facility.

The Perrottet Government is putting $20 million into the Batemans Bay health facility, which was announced earlier this year and will deliver community healthcare services, including GPs, allied health services, child and family services, community mental health and immediate care.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that local communities had an opportunity to play an important role in the planning of the health facility that will transform local health services.

“With a project manager and architect now appointed to spearhead the design, this is the perfect time to have a say and help guide important decisions,” said Mr Fitzpatrick. “I am incredibly proud to be running as a candidate for the Perrottet team that is making this kind of investment in local health, and is open to being guided by our community on the best way to implement that investment.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is investing $20 million to provide a modern, new health facility that will meet the south coast communities’ healthcare needs close to home, well into the future.

“The appointment of the project manager and architect is a major milestone in the delivery of this health facility, as planning will now move to the next level, and we’re inviting the community to get involved and have their say,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Building any new healthcare facility involves in-depth planning, and this experienced project team has been selected to design a first class facility that will fulfil the requirements of staff, patients and the broader community.”

The appointments followed a competitive tender process and include:

• bd infrastructure as the project manager

• Conrad Gargett as the architect.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said that with the project team now on board, master planning is expected to be completed in mid-2023, and will involve consultation with key stakeholders including clinicians, staff, patients, carers and the local community to inform planning and design.

“Feedback and input from staff, the local community, carers and patients will be an important part of the planning process, to ensure the new healthcare facility reflects the needs and values of the Batemans Bay community,” Mrs Taylor said.

/Public Release. View in full here.