Ordinary

Supplementary Agenda

27 November 2013

TO: Cr Bill Taylor, Mayor Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Allen Cr Michael Britten Cr Keith Hughes Cr Ann Mawhinney Cr Kristy McBain Cr Liz Seckold Cr Sharon Tapscott

COPY: Acting General Manager, Ms Leanne Barnes Group Manager Infrastructure, Waste and Water, Mr Wayne Sartori Group Manager Planning and Environment, Mr Andrew Woodley Acting Group Manager Community and Relationships, Mr Simon Schweitzer Business and Technology Manager, Mr Lucas Scarpin Workforce and Administration, Manager Ms Nina Churchward Minute Secretary

Council                                                                                                     27 November 2013

Supplementary AGENDA

S     Mayoral Minutes

S.1              Southern NSW Medicare Local application to the Health and Hospital Fund 2011........................................................................................ 4

Council 27 November 2013                                                                                Item S.1

S.1. Southern NSW Medicare Local application to the Health and Hospital Fund 2011.

Mayor

Background

Southern NSW Medicare Local (SNSWML) in partnership with The Australian National University and University of Canberra were notified in May 2012 by the Department of Health and Ageing that they were successful in an application under the Health and Hospital Fund 2011 Regional Priority Round.

This project, entitled South East NSW Health Collaborative, was developed from 2009-2011 and is an innovative project that will deliver workforce and clinical solutions to residents of the south east. The grant of $31.5 million was for the construction of health training, primary health facilities and student accommodation in Moruya, Bega and Cooma.

SNSWML signed a contract with the Federal Minister of Health in April of this year and commenced work on a final report which included a scoping study, costings and the development of procurement and project management strategies. The finalisation of the funding arrangements was conditional on the completion of this work. The work was completed by SNSWML and delivered to the Department of Health and Ageing on August 30 this year; conditional time limited contracts to purchase property were entered into as part of this process.

On 6 November 2013 SNSWML were verbally informed by the Health and Hospital Fund Director that the government considered the South East NSW Health Collaborative project an uncontracted project, due to the stipulation of a final report, and was being reviewed.

At their respective meetings on Friday 22 November both the Southern Council’s Group and the South East Region of Councils passed resolutions in support of the South East NSW Health Collaborative project to construct health training, primary health facilities & student accommodation in Moruya, Bega & Cooma, and considered the project to be contracted.

This project is a significant capital investment in the Bega Valley, and the Region, and represents a 20 year investment to train and develop rural health services in the area.   Review of the project at this late stage will have immediate financial implications and significant longer term implications for health services in the shire if the project is not funded.  Council has been approached by SNSWML to urge the Federal Minister for Health to intervene to remove the project from the review process and to proceed as per the funding agreement.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil

Recommendation

That Council write to the Federal Minister for Health requesting the South East NSW Health Collaborative project proceed as per the funding agreement.