The future of Maitland's historic hospital building hangs in the balance as it undergoes a state government property review that could see it transferred to private ownership.
Community Asset Under Threat
Greens MP Amanda Cohn has issued a stark warning about the potential sale of the old Maitland Hospital site, which has become part of the NSW Government's statewide property audit. Dr Cohn expressed serious concerns that the process could result in the community landmark being sold to private developers.
"This really worries me because we know that the government has sold more than two-thirds of the properties that come in through that audit process straight to private developers," Dr Cohn stated. The MP cited a Guardian Australia investigation from August that revealed the scale of public land transfers to private hands.
Government Response and Timeline
During recent budget estimates hearings, Health Infrastructure executive director Troy Harvey confirmed the government is working through processes to determine the site's future use. Harvey identified three distinct sections of the property: a portion needed for ongoing health services, a severely flood-affected area currently used as a park, and the upper section being considered for potential housing or other purposes.
A NSW Government spokesperson has committed to beginning open community consultation before the end of the year, acknowledging the site's importance to local residents.
Fighting for Community Benefit
Dr Cohn emphasized the prime location and community significance of the old hospital site, arguing that any redevelopment should provide clear public benefits. "If it were to be used for housing, that should be either for public social or affordable or key worker housing," she said.
The Greens MP pointed to successful community campaigns elsewhere in NSW, particularly the David Berry Hospital in Berry, where public pressure ensured the property remained in public hands. She urged the government to take a similar approach with the Maitland site rather than "flogging it off for profit."
Property and Development NSW confirmed the land audit has identified surplus government sites capable of delivering approximately 10,000 homes across the state, backed by a $6.6 billion investment in housing infrastructure.
