Hospital ‘referendum’ over, let’s now unite and build it

THE “referendum on the hospital” provided the silent majority, that many said didn’t exist, the democratic opportunity to speak. Speak they did, loud and clear.

While only they know their reasons for doing so, every polling booth in Tweed had Tweed MP Geoff Provest topping the polls for first preferences.

It was an achievement no-one thought possible, including those supporting the Tweed Valley Hospital at Cudgen.

The results demonstrate the majority of Tweed want the hospital to be built without delay.

It has been a tense 11 months for many in our community. There has been misinformation, political games, bullying and division, false accusations and passionate pleas, from both sides of the community debate. Accusations of corruption, brown paper bag deals and vested interest have been rife. Even now some are still calling for a corruption enquiry.

It is time to lay down the batons and unite so we can heal as a community and positively contribute to the development.

Over the next three years there are many more milestones to achieve, regulatory hurdles to jump, details to be finalised and election promises to be delivered.

There are also opportunities for community input still ahead. Places on the Community Reference Panel and/or Project User Groups remain open.

Together we can ensure our needs and desires for our hospital are achieved. The chance to provide input into the largest public health infrastructure investment for Tweed/Byron is once in a lifetime.

The electorate has spoken. Debate about the site is over. Tweed Valley Hospital development continues as planned, at 771 Cudgen Rd, Cudgen.

Let’s move forward as a community and be involved.