The plan for the precinct surrounding the new Bundaberg Hospital site has been updated to incorporate community feedback following public consultation.
Bundaberg Regional Council has made minor changes to the Bundaberg Health and Enterprise Precinct plan to incorporate state interest review outcomes and public submissions.
Council resolved to proceed with the updated Planning Scheme amendment at this week’s Ordinary meeting.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the revised proposal showed Council was listening to the views of the community.
“We received 11 responses in total, with one submission representing over 100 residents in the nearby Edenbrook Estate,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“On the whole, the residents were supportive of the local plan and shared their concerns about the impact of the new precinct on the existing residential area.
“In response to these submissions, Council has revised the plan to ensure the new precinct provides a good outcome for current and future residents.
“This includes ensuring future road connections are designed to avoid ‘rat running’ though local residential streets and maintaining a low density residential zoning immediately adjoining established parts of the Edenbrook Estate, with housing densities and building height increasing closer to the new hospital.”
The updated plan also includes changes in response to comments received from State Government agencies and now designates the new hospital site as a Major Health Facility, with the surrounding precinct a specialised activity centre.
“Removing the Bundaberg Hospital site from the surrounding precinct plan area recognises that a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation is already in place to facilitate the delivery of this critical community infrastructure,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The plan has been amended to ensure the hospital is prioritised when planning for road and pedestrian movements around the precinct.
“The changes requested by the State are considered minor and help to clarify the intent of the overall local area plan.”
The updated proposal will now go to the Planning Minister for approval prior to Council adopting the amendment to the planning scheme.
The New Bundaberg Hospital Local Area Precinct planning was funded by the Australian Government Housing Support Program and the Queensland Government.
If the hospital has been removed because it’s in another location already determined we can build something else were it should have been?
Maybe a High School or a new Motel or even a Shopping Mall? Maybe even all 3?
Maybe a updated TAFE or University as current tertiary facilities are quite out of date opening there old spots to redevelopment?