Council welcomes Tweed Hospital announcement

13 June 2017

Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne has welcomed today’s announcement of a new $534 million hospital for the Tweed.

Councillor Milne was at this morning’s on-site announcement by the NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard and Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest.

“We’re very excited, it’s a huge announcement and great news for the Tweed,” Councillor Milne said.

She praised the efforts of local clinicians and in particular, Dr Ian McPhee, who had campaigned tirelessly for increased services at the hospital since 2010.

“Having new services such as specialist oncology and cardiac units would be welcome additions and would mean that many people living locally and dealing with life-threatening and chronic illnesses can be treated locally and not have to travel south to Lismore or north to Brisbane or the Gold Coast University Hospital,” she said.

“A $534 million investment to the region will also bring a raft of economic benefits which will result in significant jobs being created over the four years of construction, as well as the ongoing employment which will be created through increased beds, medical units and the varying services required to support a hospital of this size.

The hospital is to be built at a new greenfield site, with exact details of the location still being negotiated by the NSW Government at a number of possible sites.

“While Council is not responsible for site selection, it will certainly be happy to assist the State in any way possible to bring this project to fruition,” Councillor Milne said.