In the past I have pushed against agencies that denied the avenues to pursue a positive outcome.
In the case of the essential new Lennox Head roundabout, Ballina Shire Council told me that this was not possible until funds became available in 2036!
In The Echo I pointed out that this was unconscionable in the light of Ballina Council investing millions in gentrification works in the shopping precinct, but not investing in community safety at that critical intersection.
I suggested the interim roundabout. Two days later Council put in that roundabout. Then, responding to community pressure, Justine Elliot MP announced federal funding of $1,533,144 for the project.
I now call on the community to advocate for a fast-tracked, overdue, ‘fit for purpose’ Ballina Hospital and outpatients service.
When a person walks into outpatients and cannot find a seat, or has to wait over six hours for treatment, the public deserves much, much better. Something is broken.
It is not incumbent on overburdened staff to do the impossible! It requires someone to make decisions and for funding to be made immediately available.
When asking this question of those who have influence I get mixed responses. Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, has enumerated the positive steps she is involved with. Especially if Council does not easily condone the massive expansion in population currently proposed by enormous, new, and questionable subdivisions.
My argument sees Council putting the cart before the horse: ‘Let them come, and then build the infrastructure to cope!’ This is intolerable.
Build the hospital, fix the flooded roads, build the bridges, provide sufficient parking, fix the black spots, etc, and then provide fit-for-purpose and affordable housing.
Tamara Smith MP did not wish to comment personally but her chief of staff stated ‘we are aware of the broader concerns about Ballina Hospital’s capacity and need to ensure local health services can meet community’s needs, both now and in the future’.
Beyond that, he merely referred me the Ballina Region Health Services Plan, which will assess current and future needs with an ‘online survey’ that closed on 25 October. That survey outcome is not scheduled until 2027. The chief of staff admitted that the survey ‘does not extend to a new hospital location or funding’.
Way too little, too late! People can’t sit down in a chair at outpatients and wait six or seven hours to be seen. This can wait no longer.
Currently candidates for the upcoming state election are being photographed in front of Ballina Hospital. Now this needs to translate to actions, not just photo opportunities. Please just fix our hospital – someone! Who will do it?
Jamie Hoile, Lennox Head
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
