Tweed Hospital will shut its doors in three months’ time Minister Speaks on Train Line Reinstatement

By Sarah Waters

The doors to Tweed Hospital will close in three months’ time, but questions remain over what will happen to the disused facility and site on Powell St and Florence Street in Tweed Heads.

A spokesperson for Northern NSW Local Health District confirmed Tweed Hospital, built in 1972, will close following the opening of the new Tweed Valley Hospital in Kingscliff on May 14.

Only a few community outreach services, such as BreastScreen NSW services will continue to be delivered either at, or nearby, the existing hospital site in Tweed Heads.

The spokesperson for Northern NSW Local Health District said ‘future uses’ for the aging health facility were being investigated.

“The outcomes of site investigations will be considered alongside local and state policy considerations.

“The NSW Government has a formal policy and process to guide the divestment of surplus property owned by NSW Government agencies and consideration of future uses.

“This policy and process will apply to the divestment of the Tweed Hospital site once services transfer to the new Tweed Valley Hospital and the existing hospital is decommissioned.”

The new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital has been hailed as one of the largest regional capital health investments funded by the NSW Government. It will allow 5000 patients to be treated each year and has been designed to provide the health services required for the growing Northern Rivers population.

Patients, staff and visitors will be able to access free parking at the new hospital.

There is also a bus stop directly opposite the hospital on 771 Cudgen Road, Cudgen, (opposite Kingscliff TAFE)

More information on transport options will be provided by NSW Health in the coming weeks.

Community members are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at the new Tweed Valley Hospital.

The Tweed Valley Hospital Community Open Day will be help on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10am - 2pm

Location: Tweed Valley Hospital, 771 Cudgen Road, Cudgen.

The public will have a chance to walk through some of the new hospital’s key services including the emergency department, maternity, intensive care, cancer care and outpatients’ services.

There will be an information and exhibition zone, fun activities for the kids and refreshments.

To register, please visit: www. tweedvalleyhospital. health.nsw.gov.au/

The Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, addressed NSW parliament last Thursday in reply to the petition to the Legislative Assembly asking for reinstatement of passenger trains from Armidale to Wallangarra on the QLD border. The Minister referred to regional transport providing better outcomes for health, education, jobs and opportunity.

The petition was presented to the lower house by the Member for New England, Adam Marshall. He acknowledged the hard work involved in amassing 10,740 signatures by Trains North, and its President Matthew Tierney, as well as its predecessor the Great Northern Rail group led by Rob Lenehan from Guyra.

Jenny Aitchison mentioned previously operating a business in Walcha and the train assisting tourist movements north of Tamworth. The government can assist with better connections for resources, markets, schools, hospitals and jobs. There needs to be a robust look at the project with a business case for consideration by the current Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Study.

The Minister expressed appreciation to Matthew Tierney, Allen Crossthwaite Trains North Vice President for Tenterfield, and Colin Schroeder from Ecotransit for coming to meet with her and for being present in the gallery for the debate on the petition.

Adam Marshall summarised the history of the Great Northern Railway, mentioning recent support for reinstatement of train services by Tenterfield Shire Council. He said typically freight would need to underpin the line’s viability due to the expense of a passenger service.

Mr Marshall stressed that a train better suits the needs of an ageing population and disabled residents rather than coaches. He concluded that today is not the end of the debate but rather the beginning.

Jenny Aitchison and Adam Marshall followed up the debate by personally meeting with Matthew Tierney, Allen Crosthwaite and Joy King (also of Tenterfield) on the steps outside parliament.

A feasibility study and cost benefit analysis would demonstrate the desired outcome to the people of the New England of reinstating the train service with wide ranging benefits to commerce, tourism, employment, education, health, road safety and the environment.