A petition has been launched to raise $20 million for much needed refurbishments at the Glen Innes hospital.
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We all work so hard for what we want for our town, and we want the best
- Jan Sharman, Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary
Members and supporters of the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary joined representatives from council and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall at the hospital on Monday.
The high profile pitch will go to the State Government and local health departmental leaders from Hunter New England Health to make the project a budget reality.
“By showing we’ve got widespread community support for this project, we’ve got more political muscle to achieve that,” Mr Marshall said.
A group of about 40 supporters were at the hospital as Mr Marshall launched the petition with auxiliary members the first to sign up.
Mr Marshall said the public push would seriously add weight to the lobbying he would undertake with Ministerial colleagues.
“Don’t doubt that people power means something because I want to make sure when I go to the health minister and treasurer later this year saying I want $20 million for Glen Innes that I’ve got the strongest possible case I can to put on the table,” he said.
“People power is a powerful and essential ingredient when it comes to political push on this scale,” Mr Marshall said.
“It makes an enormous difference to be able to show that everyone in Glen Innes is right behind this project and the campaign for it.
“This approach was successful in Armidale and again in Inverell for their $60 million hospital redevelopments, and last week we adopted the same approach in Moree.”
The upgrade will include the removal of the old nurse’s quarters which are derelict and an eyesore, and then to upgrade the current hospital to bring it in line with the other modern hospitals.
“There are so many things that could be done and I am going to make sure this community gets right behind the petition so we can send a clear and strong message to the government that Glen Innes deserves the best facility possible,” Mrs Sharman said.
“I am determined that this upgrade happen and while the nurses quarters might evoke good old memories, it has had its time and maybe once that building has gone, there will be room to build some overnight accommodation for staff and visitors.”
Mr Marshall said the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary had done wonderful work in raising funds for previous upgrades and improvements for the local institution.
“Between the Opportunity Shop, bake sales, fundraisers and raffles, the Auxiliary has shown that this is the Glen Innes Community’s hospital,” Mr Marshall said.
