Shire supports new Torquay hospital site

BY ALISON MARTIN
SURF Coast Shire has supported the development of Torquay Community Hospital on South Beach Road, the state government’s preferred site for the small public hospital.
The “high value” of a hospital in Torquay, enabling local residents to access a range of health care without having to go to Geelong, was discussed during last week’s council meeting before the vote.
But councillors also raised concerns about a lack of consultation with the community, questioning how nearby residents felt about living near a hospital when they had chosen to build near a school.
Cr Gazzard said the hospital would be close for people in Torquay and along the Surf Coast, and she believed it would be a “really nice entrance” to our “healthy, connected community”.
Cr Adrian Schonfelder was confident people from Connewarre and further afield would also be very excited about having a health facility closer to them.
Cr Rose Hodge said a hospital in Torquay would be fantastic but she hoped the government would talk to the nearby residents and there would be a buffer zone.
“I’m concerned about residents who built there near a school and now they will be near a hospital,” she said.
Cr Mike Bodsworth said the government’s choice was an “extremely prominent site at the entrance to Torquay”.
“Probably there are people concerned about having a big building coming into Torquay but I’m confident with designs these days, we don’t need to object,” Cr Bodsworth said.
Cr Barker, who opposed the decision to support the government’s request in the 7:1 vote, said residents received a letter the day after the government’s announcement.
He questioned why taxpayers were “footing the bill”, suggesting they should let a private hospital provide the service, and said consultation should have occurred before the site was decided.
Cr Barker also asked if there was going to be compensation for residents who built in the area.
Cr Gazzard agreed community consultation was important but emphasised the importance of health and community care, with private medical services not affordable for everyone and said North Torquay was a better location than on The Esplanade.
The government originally announced plans for a hospital in Torquay in October 2018 and has recently confirmed its preference to build the facility on part of the 110 South Beach Road site.
The Minister for Health has already approved the compulsory acquisition of the site and the next step is a Planning Scheme Amendment to enable a Public Acquisition Overlay for the land.
The Victorian Hospital Building Authority requested Surf Coast Shire council’s support for the Public Acquisition Overlay be provided in writing by June 30, prompting the request to come before council at last Thursday’s meeting.