Health centre sale bid anger

A PUBLIC meeting is to be held in Huonville to address public concern about the proposed sale of a medical centre in Cygnet.

A petition with 834 signatures was handed to Huon Valley Council on September 18 after it was announced the council-owned Cygnet Medical Centre could be up for sale.

The centre was developed in 2011 with funding from the Commonwealth, addressing the need for medical services in the Cygnet area.

Funding was arranged with the agreement the building would operate as a facility providing medical care to 2032. It has been privately operated since February 2017.

In June the council made the decision to continue with its proposal to sell the centre.

Cygnet resident Archie Donley said some members of the community were concerned the sale would result in medical resources being lost.

“They organised the Commonwealth grant to build the modern facility, and we run the risk of that facility being lost again,” Mr Donley said. “If the council owns the building they can absolutely guarantee it will be a medical centre until 2032.”

Council said the sale would only go ahead if a medical practice was able to buy it.

Mayor Bec Enders said the meeting on October 14 would take place in Huonville instead of Cygnet to make it open to people from across Huon Valley.

“This is an issue of interest for residents across the Huon Valley, and this way we will be meeting the petition’s request for the meeting to be held for Huon Valley residents and ratepayers by making it easier for people from each of our townships to come along and have questions answered,” Cr Enders said.

Mr Donley said he will forward a motion at the next meeting.

“I’m not saying that everyone should go along against the council,” he said. “I’d like people to go along and hear the council try to explain why they’re selling a public asset when they don’t need to and if it could cause undue hardship on the community.”

Mayor Bec Enders said the council wants the community to attend. “This will help council and residents of the Huon Valley to fully understand how the sale will affect our community,” Cr Enders said.

The meeting will take place on October 14 at the Huonville Town Hall at 6pm.

Bec Enders