Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manager - Management

Management of the Old Bega Hospital and its site is governed at a number of levels. As Crown land it is governed by the provisions of the Crown Lands Act 1989. It is managed by a Reserve Land Manager appointed under the Crown Lands Management Act, and that trust is in turn governed by the Act and the Trust Handbook. Under the Act the Trust can be required to make and be bound by a Plan of Management (but has not been). Beyond that the land is subject to the Bega Valley Local Environment Plan and its zoning requirements, and other local government requirements. Within that legislative framework, the Reserve Land Manager has developed a strategic plan, a draft management plan (as distinct from a Plan of Management under the Act), and proposals for a regional community and cultural centre. More detail is provided below.

Crown Lands

The Old Bega Hospital land is Crown Land. Section 11 of the Crown Lands Act sets out principles for management (these have been superceded by the Crown Lands Management Act):

For the purposes of this Act, the principles of Crown land management are:

(a) that environmental protection principles be observed in relation to the management and administration of Crown land,

(b) that the natural resources of Crown land (including water, soil, flora, fauna and scenic quality) be conserved wherever possible,

(c) that public use and enjoyment of appropriate Crown land be encouraged,

(d) that, where appropriate, multiple use of Crown land be encouraged,

(e) that, where appropriate, Crown land should be used and managed in such a way that both the land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity, and

(f) that Crown land be occupied, used, sold, leased, licensed or otherwise dealt with in the best interests of the State consistent with the above principles.

The Crown Lands Act provides at Division 6 (ss.112A et seq) for preparation of plans of management. Such plans may only be made with the consent of or at the direction of the Minister.

Section 114 provides:

(2) If a plan of management is adopted:

(a) the reserve trust shall carry out and give effect to it, and

(b) no operations may be undertaken on or in relation to the reserve unless they are in accordance with the plan.

As at May 2015, the Minister had not directed, and the Old Bega Hospital Reserve Trust had not sought the Minister's consent to, preparation of a plan of management under the Act.

Zoning

The Old Bega Hospital site is zoned as 'RE2 private recreation' under the Bega Valley Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2013 and its zoning maps, as revised from time to time. The relevant zoning map is LSZ 011C. The RE2 private recreation zoning provides:

1.    Objectives of zone

• To enable land to be used for private open space or recreational purposes.
• To provide a range of recreational settings and activities and compatible land uses.
• To protect and enhance the natural environment for recreational purposes.
• To ensure that the scale and character of private recreational development is compatible with the surrounding land uses.

2.    Permitted without consent

• Environmental protection works.

3.    Permitted with consent

• Boat launching ramps; Boat sheds; Building identification signs; Business identification signs; Car parks; Caravan parks; Charter and tourism boating facilities; Child care centres; Community facilities; Environmental facilities; Flood mitigation works; Information and education facilities; Jetties; Kiosks; Marinas; Markets; Mooring pens; Recreation areas; Recreation facilities (indoor); Recreation facilities (major); Recreation facilities (outdoor); Registered clubs; Respite day care centres; Restaurants or cafes; Roads; Take away food and drink premises; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Water recreation structures.

4.    Prohibited

• Any development not specified in item 2 or 3.

The land had initially been zoned 'Special Purpose' under the 2013 LEP, but no special purpose had been designated in the LEP documentation, with the result that no development would have been permitted. Bega Valley Shire Council resolved in 2014 to rezone the land as 'RE2 Private Recreation'.

Most of the land surrounding the Hospital site was zoned 'deferred matters' under the 2013 LEP and retained its previous zoning of 'future urban'. One part of the surrounding land, to the southwest of the Hospital site and adjacent to the old Princes Highway, is zoned IN1, general industrial. In 2017 much of the land to the north and east of the Old Hospital was rezoned as IN2, light industrial. One parcel of land to the southeast is still zoned as 'deferred matters'.  See map LSZ 011C (try http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/EPI/2013/408/maps#LZN if the link is broken).

Heritage Plan 2012

In 2012 Ms Kaylie Beasley prepared a proposal for a conservation management plan (1MB pdf file) for the Old Bega Hospital. The Reserve Trust noted the proposal as a reference document. The proposed conservation management plan provides a guide for appropriate management and conservation of Old Bega Hospital and its heritage significance. The proposed conservation management plan:

• describes the place;
• provides a historical overview;
• identifies and analyses the cultural heritage values of the place and articulates these within a statement of significance;
• considers key issues affecting the management of the place;
• outlines policies and strategies for effective management and conservation; and
• provides a timetable for the implementation of these policies and strategies.

Strategic Plan 2014

In September 2014 the Reserve Trust adopted a strategic plan (2.5MB pdf file) which set out its vision for the future of the site and was the basis of an application for funding from the NSW government. In February 2015 the NSW government offered a grant of $500,000 towards replacing the roof of the main building, conditional on a further $1.74m being found to complete the restoration project. Following that offer, the Friends of the Old Bega Hospital and the Reserve Trust met with many parties to work out what is required to find the additional money to make the restoration a reality.

Draft Management Plan and Draft Proposal 2015

In May 2015 the Trust adopted a draft management plan (800kB pdf), and a draft proposal for a regional community and cultural centre (700kB pdf) to be accommodated on the site once the main building has been restored. The draft management plan incorporates a good deal of Ms Beasley's conservation management plan. Comment is invited on both the draft management plan and the draft proposal. If you have comments or suggestions please Contact Us with your thoughts.