❓ Hon Giz Watson raises concerns about the Busselton Health Campus redevelopment regarding expansion limitations due to coastal setbacks and conservation areas, and the exclusion of aged-care facilities. The Minister addresses these concerns, outlining plans for future expansion, conservation efforts, and the rationale behind the current design.
AnsweredQoN 281Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUSSELTON HEALTH CAMPUS
281. Hon GIZ WATSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I refer to the Busselton health campus concept plan dated
March 2012.
(1) As the
proposed development will be built right up to the 150-metre horizontal setback
line to protect it from coastal hazards and also will be surrounded by
conservation areas to protect the endangered western ringtail possum, could the
minister clarify how and where future expansion will be accommodated at the
site given these constraints?
(2) Could the
minister please explain how the conservation areas, which are seaward of the
150-metre horizontal setback line, will be protected from coastal hazards given
that these are the proposed rehabilitation and management sites for the
endangered western ringtail possum?
(3) Could the
minister explain why the government has chosen to redevelop at the existing
site, knowing that the site is unable to integrate an aged-care residential
facility and subacute unit that were part of the original aims to achieve a
seamless health service for Busselton and the surrounding communities?
281. Hon GIZ WATSON to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I refer to the Busselton health campus concept plan dated
March 2012.
(1) As the
proposed development will be built right up to the 150-metre horizontal setback
line to protect it from coastal hazards and also will be surrounded by
conservation areas to protect the endangered western ringtail possum, could the
minister clarify how and where future expansion will be accommodated at the
site given these constraints?
(2) Could the
minister please explain how the conservation areas, which are seaward of the
150-metre horizontal setback line, will be protected from coastal hazards given
that these are the proposed rehabilitation and management sites for the
endangered western ringtail possum?
(3) Could the
minister explain why the government has chosen to redevelop at the existing
site, knowing that the site is unable to integrate an aged-care residential
facility and subacute unit that were part of the original aims to achieve a
seamless health service for Busselton and the surrounding communities?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) Any future
expansion of the new Busselton health campus will not be affected by the
150-metre horizontal setback line. The proposed construction area is outside
the setbacks required for the most pessimistic scenario for 100-year sea level
rises as published by the City of Busselton. Design features also include
easily adapted areas within the building that allow for the internal expansion
of critical areas. Although there are no plans for future expansion, areas to
the north and south of the site are potential expansion zones.
(2) The new
Busselton health campus is being built outside the conservation area. The
Department of Health proposes to manage the conservation area by establishing a
protective covenant; planting at least two peppermint trees for each one that
is removed from the site; rehabilitating the undergrowth; controlling
pedestrian, dog and vehicle access; erecting information and signage; preparing
a fire management plan; controlling weeds; and monitoring habitat health and
the possum population. A fund to rehabilitate an area of possum habitat in
Tuart Forest National Park has also been proposed.
(3) The
Department of Health sought expressions of interest for involvement in the
project from the private sector after the site had been selected. This resulted
in a proposal from the private sector to provide subacute care and locate a
residential aged-care facility on the site. Preliminary master planning at the
time indicated that a residential aged-care facility could be located on the
site. After a detailed assessment it was decided that the proposal did not
provide sufficient benefit to the state. The new Busselton health campus has
been designed with the capacity to provide subacute care.
(1) Any future
expansion of the new Busselton health campus will not be affected by the
150-metre horizontal setback line. The proposed construction area is outside
the setbacks required for the most pessimistic scenario for 100-year sea level
rises as published by the City of Busselton. Design features also include
easily adapted areas within the building that allow for the internal expansion
of critical areas. Although there are no plans for future expansion, areas to
the north and south of the site are potential expansion zones.
(2) The new
Busselton health campus is being built outside the conservation area. The
Department of Health proposes to manage the conservation area by establishing a
protective covenant; planting at least two peppermint trees for each one that
is removed from the site; rehabilitating the undergrowth; controlling
pedestrian, dog and vehicle access; erecting information and signage; preparing
a fire management plan; controlling weeds; and monitoring habitat health and
the possum population. A fund to rehabilitate an area of possum habitat in
Tuart Forest National Park has also been proposed.
(3) The
Department of Health sought expressions of interest for involvement in the
project from the private sector after the site had been selected. This resulted
in a proposal from the private sector to provide subacute care and locate a
residential aged-care facility on the site. Preliminary master planning at the
time indicated that a residential aged-care facility could be located on the
site. After a detailed assessment it was decided that the proposal did not
provide sufficient benefit to the state. The new Busselton health campus has
been designed with the capacity to provide subacute care.
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