Hospital is past its use by date
The West Gippsland Hospital has faithfully served the citizens of West Gippsland and beyond at its current site for 110 years. It was built in 1908 on land donated by a West Gippslander (Mary Sargeant). Adjoining parcels of land have since been acquired with funds generously donated by many West Gippsland families.
The hospital has grown and been redeveloped on numerous occasions in that 110 years. Most, if not all, of the growth and redevelopment has been in response to a growing population.
Regrettably the hospital on the current site can no longer cope with the unprecedented and unrelenting demand for its services. It is literally bursting at the seams. It cannot be described as a modern, purpose built health facility.
Any redevelopment of the existing site will involve demolition of large parts of the existing infrastructure and will take many years to complete. That will cause extraordinary disruption to the provision of services to patients and potentially compromise the health, well-being and safety of patients.
Just over 10 years ago, the West Gippsland Healthcare Group purchased 23.64 hectares (58 plus acres) of land at Lardner’s Track Drouin East as the site for a new hospital. More than half of the purchase price was donated by yet another generous West Gippsland family.
Since the land at Drouin East was purchased, the Department of Health and Human Services has treated the issue of a new hospital for West Gippsland like a hot potato.
Despite multiple master planning projects and feasibility studies that all recommend the construction of a new hospital as a better (and cheaper) option than redeveloping the existing site, the department still prefers a redevelopment of the old site because it can be “staged” over a period of time (read 10 to 15 years of disruption).
The current West Gippsland Hospital is past its use by date. West Gippslanders deserve to have a modern, purpose built facility that can cope with the rapid growth of our population.
The State budget will be handed down in May - the last budget before the next State election. The provision of funds for the construction of a new hospital for West Gippsland must be included in this year’s budget.
It needs the support of all sides of politics. The health and well-being of the people of West Gippsland and beyond, is too important to continue to be a political football.
John Davine, Warragul
There is an ideally situated site for a new hospital between Drouin and Warragul that requires action now for the good of the health of our community.
For the State Labor Government to even be considering cutting funding by $14.2million for this rapidly growing area is unbelievable. The implications of this would be horrendous, not only from jobs lost but also potentially the loss of lives in our community.
To ensure this doesn't happen, please all political parties work together to build a new hospital on the site that has been sitting there for over 10 years. We need it now.
John Parker, Ripplebrook
I encourage community members to lobby both our State and Federal Politicians to bring this project to fruition.
If it is not funded in May 2018 budget then it needs to become an election issue for the November state election.
Ormond Pearson, Warrragul
Hasn't there been enough rural land already rezoned in Baw Baw Shire. Just look at Drouin and Warragul.
It will be 24 hours of constant noise, truck air brakes, increased EPA pollution - air and noise, great for the health of the local residents - I think not.
You say it will not affect the local businesses, you have got to be dreamin'.
This is not progress, it will be detrimental to every business in the village.
Travellers will not stop and browse in the local shops, and then go to this place just for fuel, as you are suggesting.
We already have a brand new United which has only been completely upgraded and can handle any size trucks including B-doubles.
Have you ever seen a cheap BP fuel station - I haven't, not in Gippsland.
The local supermarket has also been completely renovated and now has fantastic stock and competitive pricing. Do we need a convenience store as well? Not to mention poor Darnum - they all may as well shut the doors and leave.
No one will go to Darnum if this monstrosity is approved by Baw Baw Shire Council.
Baw Baw Shire instigated the naming of Yarragon as a Village, let's keep it that way.
Objections need to be lodged to the council by today. At least sign a petition.
Every Yarragon resident needs to stand up to the council to stop this planning proposal being approved.
Not be stuck in their little nests clucking about something they have not even bothered to investigate and just accept, Gwen. Get onto the Baw Baw Shire website. Go to planning and have a look at the actual size of this proposal before you think it is a ‘fantastic’ idea for Yarragon.
This is not progress, it will be Armageddon for Yarragon. Karen Green, Yarragon