Developers, protesters unite for hospital push

FARMERS have formed an unlikely alliance with development group Leda Holdings to promote the Tweed’s Kings Forest estate as the site for the new $534 million hospital.

An information day will be held on the estate today in the latest push against the NSW Government’s preferred site at Cudgen Rd, which farmers want to remain prime agricultural land.

Instead, they are putting their support behind the 32ha Kings Forest development by Leda Holdings, owned by billionaire developer Bob Ell.

Relocate Tweed Valley Hospital to Save Cudgen Farmland will be a family event and include a sausage sizzle, live music and kids activities.

Leda Holdings, who are preparing a tender to accommodate the hospital, said they were paying public liability insurance and the cost of power generators for the event. The Relocate Tweed Valley Hospital group approached Leda about supporting the event.

State MP Geoff Provest says the community has been “turned off” to how politicised the process has become.

“There are billboards up and down. There is a lot of effort being put into having a hospital on that site. Government has employed an independent probity officer and they will come out with the analysis of the process on the closing date on the 14th.

“People have said you can’t buy the site. It is an independent process. The one chosen will be the best value for taxpayers.”

Mr Provest said the proposal could not afford further delays. “There is $48 million for temporary measures at the existing hospital. If we go over the deadline, we are in crisis, dead set crisis mode.”