A spokesperson for NSW Health Infrastructure has revealed planning for the Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment is continuing, and confirmed there has been no change to the NSW Government’s $263.8 million investment commitment to improve health outcomes for residents of Grafton and surrounding communities.
In a statement forwarded to the Clarence Valley Independent in response to public concerns surrounding the future of the long-awaited project after it was previously reported via other media outlets that Clarence Valley Council (CVC) voted to alter new heights on buildings and NSW Health had subsequently paused construction, the spokesperson said following the recent release of the updated Clarence River Flood Model by CVC, there has been an increase in the Probable Maximum Flood Level across Grafton.
“NSW Health Infrastructure and the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) are working in close consultation with a range of stakeholders to assess any possible impact for the GBH redevelopment,” they said.
“This is an important step to ensure we are designing health infrastructure using the latest information, as we progress with delivering an improved health facility for the community.
“As we work to understand any impact on the GBH redevelopment, consultation with staff, the local community, and stakeholders, has been temporarily paused.
“This work will help inform the concept design development, with staff and community consultation anticipated to resume next year.
“We will continue to keep staff and the community updated as planning progresses, including construction timeframes.”
When approached for comment by the Clarence Valley Independent, a CVC spokesperson said council fully supports the GBH redevelopment.
“CVC is continuing to work with NSW Health Infrastructure about planning matters to assist in the GBH redevelopment,” they said.
“This has included advice about the updated Clarence River Flood Model which was adopted by CVC in October 2023.
“The updated flood model includes a higher extreme flood event than the previous flood model, with the site being affected by the extreme flood in both flood models.
“The updated extreme flood model, which uses updated rainfall information, has a probability of occurring of around 1 in 90000 in any given year.
“The extreme flood event used in the previous model had a probability of occurring of around 1 in 9000 in any given year.
“CVC’s draft flood planning levels are currently on public exhibition until January 29 and can be viewed online at https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/On-exhibition/Proposed-Interim-Flood-Planning-Levels
“These draft flood planning levels inform minimum floor levels for habitable rooms, such as for new housing, and are based on the flood with the probability of occurring 1 in 100 in any given year flood, (incorporating climate change).
“CVC does not have an assessment role, nor determines a flood planning level for any state significant development projects, including the GBH redevelopment.”
This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 6 December 2023.
