THE New South Wales Government has given the green light for the first step in a $30 million project to redevelop Wentworth’s ageing health infrastructure.
The NSW Budget handed down on Tuesday included $500,000 in 2021-22 for the start of the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment, which would result in the town’s key health facilities being located in one precinct.
Wentworth Shire Mayor Susan Nichols said the funding was a huge milestone for Wentworth.
“Wentworth has been crying out for an upgrade to the hospital for years and this funding goes a long way towards making that happen,” Cr Nichols said.
“It has long been fought for by both the existing council and former mayor Melisa Hederics and it is wonderful to see the effort paying off.
“This and the other projects funded in the budget will ensure the sustainability and viability of the Wentworth Shire for years to come.”
A petition containing more than 500 signatures tabled in State Parliament last year had called on the government to provide a “fit for purpose facility” in the town to replace the ageing Wentworth District Hospital.
The petitioners said the facility would benefit the health and wellbeing of Wentworth residents as well as support the recruitment and retention of health practitioners.
Wentworth Shire Council chief executive Ken Ross said the new 20-bed hospital, which he described as a “$40 million spend” at the council’s current civic offices and library, would bring the town’s health facilities into a centralised location including GPs, allied health services, accident and emergency and possibly a dentist.
The council is in the process of relocating services within the precinct to the Wentworth Civic Centre by January 2023.
Mr Ross said that after advocating a new facility “for some time” the council was “on the roller-coaster” to seeing the project through to fruition.
“We’re really excited by the opportunities that this project will provide the township and now we can get on with the business of making it happen.”
Mr Ross said he expected the initial “seed” funding would include consultation and establishing the scope and specification of the health precinct redevelopment.
He said the council, Far West Local Health District and other agencies had been “rowing the same canoe” in advocating a government commitment towards funding the project.
The State Government on Tuesday also announced $500,000 in funding for the relocation of the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre to the civic centre as part of the council relocation plans.
Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall said it was essential that communities in the Far West had access to the same services as others in the state.
“This budget continues the NSW Government’s commitment to making that happen,” Mr Marshall said.
“The 2021-22 NSW Budget highlights the priorities of western NSW, and at its heart are improved roads and health facilities.”
The government also committed to the sealing of Pooncarie Road to Menindee, with combined state and federal funding of $4.5 million in 2021-22, which it said would deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys and boost tourism and freight productivity.
Other funding for the Wentworth region included $3.3 million towards the Wentworth Aerodrome upgrade, $250,000 for the refurbishment of the Dareton Health Facility, and a construction start for the Buronga HealthOne facility as part of a $100 million HealthOne Strategy.
