New hospital plan

By Dion Teasdale
THE future of the Warburton Hospital, currently sitting idle and unused, could be the focus of a State Government funded study.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato told the Mail last week she had been engaged in discussions with community, health and business groups over the future of the hospital facility.
“I have been facilitating discussions among various potential user groups and funding bodies interested in the future of the Warburton Hospital site,” she said.
“Given the amount of infrastructure that remains unused, and the obvious social and economic needs that are currently not being met in the area, there is the potential to bring the two together.”
Ms Lobato, responding to rumours that the hospital, closed in 2001, had been earmarked for redevelopment, said she was optimistic about the range of future possible uses for the site.
“I’ve brought together various community and business groups as well as health providers, both private and public, to discuss a wide range of services and opportunities that could possibly be offered from this site,” she said.
Ms Lobato said the level of interest she had received from possible user groups demonstrated the need for further study.
“I have sought assistance from the State Government in regards to furthering this investigation,” she said.
River Valley Church pastor Andy Bennett said he would welcome funding for a study to identify ways for the hospital site to be used by the community.
“It is a crying shame to have such a wonderful resource sitting around being wasted.
“The hospital is a remarkable, modern facility and there are many different possibilities for future use in addition to it operating as a hospital,” he said.
“I think every person in this community would love to see an increase in the level of health services, and would welcome other services too, so the discussions that are taking place now are a very positive step forward.”
Warburton Community Financial Services secretary Geoff Vickers said the Warburton Community Bank would embrace further investigations into possible uses for the hospital.
“The bank is always looking out for opportunities to improve living standards in Warburton and I am very happy and interested to see discussions about the future of the hospital pursued,” he said.
“It is a magnificent facility that is sitting idle, and even though discussions are in their early stages and we don’t know yet what will be achievable, a study would be incredibly worthwhile.”
Mr Vickers said the community would need to be realistic about what could be achieved, but said he shared Ms Lobato’s optimism.
“The Warburton community would love nothing more than to see the entire hospital reopened, but this might not be achievable financially,” he said.
“Instead, the hospital might be able to house a number of services to be opened at different stages and it will be exciting to explore these ideas.”