As late correspondence at last Thursday’s monthly meeting, Cr Barlow explained how less than three hectares of land next to the Crookwell Hospital is to be auctioned for private sale on Saturday, August 28, but it is the small section (six metres by 50) that is of most concern.

Mr Barlow is of the opinion that if this small portion of land is sold, inadequate room will remain for safe access to the hospital by ambulance and other vehicular traffic.

“I want to put forward a motion that Council write to the Department of Health and ask them to remove the area from the auction and save it and keep it as part of the hospital site, should it be needed for future emergency access by the hospital,” said Cr Barlow.

Councillors agreed that this piece of land should remain as part of the hospital site to ensure that there is adequate width available for emergency and stores access to the Hospital should the current access route be impacted by problems that may arise from the adjacent old nurses’ quarters building, which may have to be demolished.

“Everyone at the table would agree this is a great idea, but do we have enough time?” said Cr Wheelwright.

Cr Culhane: “We should go to the agent as well so they can go to their client immediately.”

Cr McCormack: “I can’t see it happening.”

Cr Shaw: “Well we will try our best to do what we can.”

Cr Barlow: “This could just be the first step. The next step is to condemn the nurses quarters then the complications of the nurses quarters could prevent access to the hospital so then they close the hospital!”

Cr Shaw: “There is a matter of urgency. I realize we have only got 10 days and it is going to be pushing it.”

Council moved a motion that the Upper Lachlan Shire Council requests the NSW Department of Health to remove from the area of land behind Crookwell Hospital that is to be auctioned on August 28 the small rectangular section in the south east corner which currently is partially occupied by a tennis court.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Bill. Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, has also written to the Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, on behalf of the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, asking her to remove the portion from the sale.