22 November 2018

A new hospital is at the top of the wish list as Gunnedah Shire Council moves to advocate for its top priorities in the lead up to the State and Federal elections.

A Mayoral Minute was put forward at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting, recommending that Councillors endorse the pursuit of a new hospital for Gunnedah as its highest priority ahead of next year’s elections.

In the Mayoral Minute, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the time for “band-aiding an ageing and inadequate facility was over”.

“Our community, hospital patients, and the medical and allied health care professionals and other staff that work within the hospital deserve better,” Cr Chaffey wrote.

“A new hospital is seen as being of the utmost priority to ensure access to quality medical facilities, services and equipment for our community.”

The Mayoral Minute was presented by Acting Mayor Rob Hooke on behalf of Cr Chaffey and was endorsed unanimously by Councillors.

“To continue into the future as a Shire driving growth, and attracting and retaining residents, we need state-of-the-art medical facilities to match. The hospital is something we will be pushing strongly for,” Cr Hooke said.

Councillors also moved to advocate for increased police numbers, additional phone towers to eliminate black spots, TAFE redevelopment and reinstatement of apprentice courses, road funding and a processing precinct.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire Acting Mayor Rob Hooke in support of advocating for a new hospital at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.