PREMIER Morris Iemma has claimed construction of the new Tamworth hospital will begin before the next state election despite a report from the treasury that suggests otherwise.
The release of the State Infrastructure Strategy by Michael Costa on Wednesday lists the project for planning only during the next four years and as “not yet approved”.
However, the Premier was at pains to reassure the Tamworth community the redevelopment would commence in less than three years – before the next state election.
“I would like to reassure the community that here has been no change to my commitment to redevelop Tamworth Hospital,” he said.
“The redevelopment is progressing well and is on track with $2 million allocated in the 2008/09 budget for planning.
“Construction remains on track to begin before the next election.
“The State Infrastructure Strategy does not say that the redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital has been postponed.”
Mr Iemma said the strategy did not specify a starting date for construction because planning for the project was still underway.
“We are following the normal planning process of a
project of this size and importance. It’s important that we spend time understanding how services will look, how they’ll be designed, how they’ll interact and relate with other services,” he said.
However, the response does not gel with the 10-year infrastructure strategy that suggests neither funds nor approval of the hospital within the next four years – a situation that has drawn harsh criticism from Tamworth-based The Nationals MLC Trevor Khan.
Mr Kahn told The Leader Mr Iemma’s announcement before the last state election was clearly made at the last moment without planning or consultation.
“One should have always been cynical of this project coming to fruition,” he said.
“Obviously hospitals take a long time to build and we are a long way off turning this into a bricks and mortar operation but the fear is that Mr Iemma has hoodwinked the Tamworth electorate and the people of NSW.
“All we can do now is keep the pressure up and hold Mr Iemma to his promise.”
Mr Kahn said what the people of Tamworth could expect to see shortly before the next election, was Mr Iemma turning up with a silver spade ready to show the project had progressed further than it had.
“But really we need to keep the pressure on so we can bring this project forward as far as possible,” he said.
However, potentially even more concerning for Mr Kahn was the lack of any sort of future commitment to a radiotherapy unit for the Tamworth region.
“It is possibly the more urgent thing as we continue to hear how the absence of a radiotherapy services causes immediate discomfort and disadvantage to those with cancer in the region,” he said.
“Unfortunately it appears we are being ignored and it’s just not suitable for the Government to be saying things are headed in the right direction when clearly they are not.”
Hunter New England Health was not so forthcoming with comment on the announcement and declined to speak to The Leader saying it was an issue that should be directed to the Minister for Health.
As for the issue of radiation therapy services, Hunter New England Health said while it would continue to advocate for them in Tamworth, planning for such services was done on a state-wide basis by the NSW Department of Health.
State Member for Tamworth Peter Draper was unavailable for comment on the State Infrastructure Strategy as he is currently overseas on parliamentary duties.
However, a spokesman for his office said Mr Draper was aware of the situation and was in contact with the Minister’s office.
“Tamworth Hospital has been a major priority for Mr Draper and continues to be a major priority,” he said.