TAMWORTH’s new hospital would, when built, “probably” have to meet the community’s health needs for the rest of the century – 92 years from now – independent Member for Tamworth Peter Draper has said.

Mr Draper wrote to The Leader on Wednesday accusing The Nationals and “some sections of the media” of waging a “campaign of instability against the construction of a new hospital in Tamworth”.

The Northern Daily Leader has been campaigning for some months for the release of information on the likely start date of the hospital construction, the likely completion date and an updated cost estimate.

The original projection of $130 million, announced during the closing weeks of the 2007 election campaign, is now out of date as a result of rises in the cost of steel, copper and other materials.

Mr Draper claimed his job of “delivering the new facility” was being made “increasingly

difficult”.

Speaking after the release of the NSW budget earlier this month he said he was “comfortable” with progress on the hospital project and confident work would begin – as promised by Morris Iemma – in 2007 within the current parliamentary term.

Last week’s NSW Infrastructure Plan for the next decade stated the only work that would be carried out over the next four years on the project was planning.

Two million dollars was allocated in the budget for the preparation of the Service Procurement Plan and the Project Definition Plan.

The infrastructure plan was released through the office of the treasurer, Michael Costa.

When contacted about the failure to include a start date in the 10-year-plan embattled NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, contradicted the treasury document by telling The Leader work would start before the next election.

This is despite the fact that according to the plan, the Tamworth Hospital redevelopment has not yet been approved by the Iemma

Government.

Mr Draper claimed media

pressure for firm information on the progress of the hospital redevelopment was “inviting a similar debacle to Bathurst”.

When the Bathurst hospital was opened earlier this year, it was revealed the consultation and planning process had been flawed and that the finished product did not deliver the same level of services as the old hospital.

“The attacks should stop so the appropriate processes can be completed.”

We publish Mr Draper’s letter in full on page six today. We also publish a list of questions about the hospital redevelopment – with commentary and background information – that we sent to Mr Draper on Wednesday after receiving his letter.