THE backers of a $15 million health hub at Bradfordville have scored a win.
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Nine months ago father and daughter team Wal and Sophie Ashton were reeling after the council deferred consideration of their planning proposal for part of the Ross St site.
Councillors wanted an employment strategy completed first. It would determine whether the land should be rezoned from IN1 general industrial to SP2 infrastructure, paving the way for the health hub’s stage two.
That draft strategy, tendered to councillors last week, recommended the rezoning.
It found that Goulburn had a enough industrial land to meet demand and loss of the Ross St site “would not have a significant effect”.
“The development of a health hub has planning merit in both social and economic terms through co-location of a range of health services for the community, job creation and flow-on effects to service industries,” the HillPDA Consulting strategy stated.
The Ashtons argued in a presentation to the council last November that Goulburn had a surplus of industrial land.
On Monday, Ms Ashton wasn’t gloating. “We’re very happy with the draft strategy,” she said.
“I think the outcome is very logical.”
Stage one of the hub – comprising an allied health centre, dental practice, cafe, pharmacy and pathology, eight doctors’ surgeries and treatment rooms – will be open by the end of the year. It did not require rezoning and was approved by the council in November 2014.
Stage two includes much more, but there are a few hoops to jump through yet.
The employment strategy will be placed on public exhibition for five weeks. If there are no hitches, the council will forward the amended hub planning proposal to the Department of Planning for a gateway determination.
A decision may be some way off, but for now the Ashtons are hopeful.
Full report, page 3.