By Danielle Kutchel
A move to sell a plot of land in Cranbourne East for construction of a community hospital has proved contentious.
The City of Casey is proposing to sell a parcel of land at 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East to the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority for the construction of the new Cranbourne Community Hospital.
The land, which was announced as the preferred site of the hospital in February, is within the Casey Complex which also houses the Balla Balla Community Centre, Cranbourne Library, arts centre The Factory and Casey RACE.
At the council meeting on Tuesday 20 April, the administrators noted the submissions received during the public exhibition period of the proposed sale.
Thirty-eight submissions were received; of those, only one supported the use of the site.
Most of the submissions expressed concerns that the new hospital would contribute to traffic gridlock on Berwick-Cranbourne Road, while others worried that there would not be enough parking for all the services at the site.
At the council meeting, three stakeholders stood to speak in support of their submissions.
They included Maree Cullinan, manager of Balla Balla Community Centre, who said she had stood to advocate for the community, not just the centre.
Ms Cullinan said the area had reached “saturation” point, and said planning should take into account how the hospital can grow for the rapidly expanding community.
She said the chosen site would not allow for that growth.
Ms Cullinan said the site would also add to traffic and parking woes, and could exacerbate mental health issues by adding to the stress of drivers and residents in the area.
Representatives of Casey Basketball Association echoed concerns about parking, and wondered where their hundreds of visitors each week would park if the hospital goes ahead.
The hospital would eliminate the stadium’s overflow parking if it goes ahead.
A ratepayer of 50 years, Peter McKill, also criticised the site and said the proposed hospital would “choke up” an already congested area.
Administrator Cameron Boardman told the gallery that the council would evaluate the submissions received before deciding whether to sell the land to the government.
