Released 04/02/2020
The ACT Government is one step closer to the establishment of the SPIRE Project Local Community Reference Group, with a larger community meeting to be held this evening
Membership will represent the hospital’s near neighbours, including local residents and businesses, the Garran Primary School and community associations, and will be finalised soon.
Almost 60 people registered their interest in joining the group. All of these community members who will have the opportunity tonight to discuss the SPIRE Project and any specific interests or concerns they may have. These will be documented and will guide the direction of the Local Community Reference Group’s meetings going forward.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the group will reflect the diversity of the community and will serve as an important conduit to hear residents’ views during the SPIRE Project’s design phase while also feeding important project updates back to the community.
“We have heard that traffic flow and road safety are of particular interest to the Garran community, and we want to work directly with people on the ground who can identify potential impacts and practical solutions,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“Community feedback has already been immensely valuable in guiding our plans for the SPIRE Project. We have already responded to concerns about parking availability by committing to a temporary carpark near the Canberra Hospital, helping to alleviate demand around the campus itself.”
“By engaging closely with the community, we can ensure that planning and design for our new state-of-the-art healthcare facility is built upon feedback from the community, clinicians and consumers” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The Local Community Reference Group will meet monthly with the SPIRE Project team to contribute to the design process and receive updates on the progress of the project.
“We are establishing this group now so we can incorporate community feedback on several aspects of the design, including traffic, parking and urban design, throughout the design phase of the project.
“Our design and construction partner will be selected later this year and we will continue to engage with the community as we finalise the planning for the project under the Early Contractor Involvement contract,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The SPIRE Project team will also continue to seek input from clinicians, hospital staff and healthcare consumer organisations to ensure the facility is fit-for-purpose and meets the needs of healthcare providers.
People can continue to offer ideas and suggestions on the SPIRE Project via YourSay.act.gov.au/spire.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases