Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Newsletter

Good news on the Old Bega Hospital front: we have Money! At this stage it is all very bureaucratic, but pretty soon there will be a roof, then floors, doors and eventually people.

On Friday, 8 February, the Hon Andrew Constance, Member for Bega, gave the Reserve Land Manager a letter from the Hon John Barilaro, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, saying 'I am pleased to confirm that the NSW Government has made a reservation of up to $3m from the Regional Communities Development Fund for the restoration of the Old Bega Hospital. This commitment is subject to the Trust [Reserve Land Manager] providing a full project delivery plan and confirmed updated project costings.' Mr Constance said the commitment was not dependent on the election outcome, and will continue no matter who wins government in March.

The announcement is the result of many years of work by the community to get the main building restored after the fire in 2004, and means the Reserve Land Manager (community volunteers who manage the precinct free of charge for its owner, Crown Lands) will be able to restore the building for the community.

So far as a 'full project delivery plan' is concerned, we have plans prepared by architects and engineers, and we are ready to lodge a development application for the physical work. Lodgement awaits agreement from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, which has an Aboriginal land claim over the site (and all other Crown Land down the coast from Sydney). We also have an extensive business case prepared for our application for a Regional Cultural Fund grant in late 2018, which covers many of the project management issues, including how to run the site once building work is complete - the important stuff.

So far as updated project costings are concerned, we have a recent quantity survey from qualified professional quantity surveyors, also prepared for our application to the Regional Cultural Fund.

We are seeking an early appointment with Mr Barilaro's department to determine their exact needs and how we can meet them. The Reserve Land Manager board will meet on Tuesday to work out next steps. There will be many of them.

Many, many thanks to everyone who has supported and contributed to this project proposal over the years, and especially in the last few months. This is work by the community for the community, the best sort.

We'll keep you posted.

Richard Bomford

Friends of the Old Bega Hospital Inc