MEDIA RELEASE
Inquiry into Planning for the Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) and the Canberra Hospital campus and immediate surrounds (SPIRE Inquiry)
REPORT TABLED
The Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Renewal today tabled its report on its Inquiry into Planning for the Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) and the Canberra Hospital campus and immediate surrounds (SPIRE Inquiry).
The Chair of the Committee, Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA stated that:
‘Throughout the course of this and previous Assembly’s there have been a number of proposed expansion plans for the Canberra Hospital. Whilst many have had elements of controversy the recent SPIRE proposal and its unexpected location met significant opposition from the local community.’
‘Whilst the Committee notes the new name of the project – The Canberra Hospital expansion - the Committee’s inquiry was focused on the phases of the project conducted under the SPIRE moniker. The inquiry clearly identified that there is an urgent need for additional medical facilities in Canberra; however also identified that the local community, clinicians and health care consumers have very reasonable concerns about the project.’
‘These concerns include the development progressing in the absence of a precinct master plan; increased traffic, reduced access to parking and public transport, pedestrian and student safety, inadequate disability accessibility, increased noise levels, the functional capacity of the proposed facilities and the overt lack of consultation and engagement. It was evident to the Committee that this community angst lead to the petition that lead to this inquiry.’
‘The Committee made 26 recommendations, some of which are critical of the inadequate consultation and governance measures and the inconsistent messaging. However, the recommendations are also constructed with the aim of not only improving the project as it moves through the design and construction phases, but all future health projects in the ACT.’
Ms Le Couteur also noted the circumstances that impacted on the inquiry and thanked those who contributed to the inquiry:
‘The unfortunate timing of this inquiry at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but before the ACT Legislative Assembly had fully transitioned to new arrangements, meant that the Committee had limited opportunities for questioning witnesses, including the Government, as part of the inquiry. Consequently it relied heavily on the content of community, government and NGO submissions; FOI documentation and other reports.’
‘The Committee greatly appreciates the contributions to the inquiry from community organisations and individuals during such a difficult time.’
The Report is available via the Inquiry webpage: Inquiry into Planning for the Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) and the Canberra Hospital campus and immediate surrounds
STATEMENT ENDS – Thursday 20 August 2020
For more information contact:
Committee Chair, Caroline Le Couteur MLA on 620 51941
Committee Secretary, Ms Annemieke Jongsma on 620 51253