PORT Fairy’s massive hospital redevelopment has cleared its final planning hurdle and administrators are now waiting on news from the state government as to whether it will pay for the $4.5 million facelift.
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Moyne Shire has agreed to rezone land around the hospital, paving the way for the expansion of urgent care and a suite of new health services — although the state planning minister still needs to approve the zones.
Moyne Health Services had been told it would know the outcome of a $3 million request before Christmas but is yet to find out. The hospital will raise the remaining $1.5 million. “We’re optimistic,” chief executive David Lee said. “We’re still awaiting on the state government and there’s no indication at this stage — we’ve been waiting for some months now.”
All councillors supported the motion at Tuesday’s council meeting to switch zones from residential to public use.
“It shows good strategic planning for the development of the Port Fairy hospital in future years,” Cr Colin Ryan said.
It comes after the Port Fairy Folk Festival pledged $750,000 to the plans. The annual carnival at Railway Place has also raised more than $10,000 for the hospital.
Mr Lee said philanthropic trusts had pledged a further $40,000.
“We’re just waiting for the phone to ring.”
