The Minister of Health, Brad Hazzard was in Moruya this week to roll out another announcement and to give his Liberal candidates an opportunity to present to the cameras.
He took the opportunity to make a statement around the purchase of the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.
Have a listen. What he says is important to the letter that follows
VIDEO: Have a very close listen to what Mr Hazzard says. He presents a stream of information as if they are facts to be digested by the attending media ready for regurgitation. But are his facts actually factual?
Video source: Moruya Mail
The following response to Brad Hazzard's statement is as follows:
Issued by - Patent Development Pty Ltd, Owner of Braemar Farm, South Head Road Moruya
Patent Development Pty Ltd (Patent), the owner of Braemar Farm at South Head Road Moruya since 1971, supports the location selected by the NSW Government for the new Level 4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Development.
Patent's Director [Kim Hall] said: "We are proud of our farm and our history in Moruya. The property has been continuously farmed since the 1860's. But we can also see the future benefits a hospital on our land will bring. Whilst we had hoped to develop the site ourselves, or sell the site, given the demand for new housing in the region, the site is also very well situated for a hospital."
Since being contacted by the Health Administration Corporation (HAC) in November 2020, Patent has continuously assisted HAC with access to the land for its staff and consultants. Patent has supplied some 14 detailed technical reports (at no cost to HAC) about the site's suitability.
Patent has at all times participated in good faith to sell the site to HAC.
Mr Hall said "We are disappointed by Minister Brad Hazzard's misleading statements this week that there were 13 months of negotiation and that a negotiated price was not able to be agreed conveying an impression we have been unreasonable. Patent only received an offer on 3 November 2021, and it was acknowledged by HAC itself that this offer was flawed. We have not received any subsequent offer."
With reference to an article found in the Beagle Weekly on Tuesday 8 February 2022, Patent wishes to state also that the identified land on Braemar Farm has not been compulsorily acquired.
What has occurred is the issuing of a Proposed Acquisition Notice. The Proposed Acquisition Notice issued by Health Infrastructure was signed on 24 November 2021, but Patent only received a copy from HAC's representative on 21 December 2021 (not 20 December as stated).
We have not received any further formal correspondence about proposed acquisition since December 2021. We remain open to a meeting, but are waiting on HAC to obtain its updated valuation.
Mr Hall said "It is disappointing our land is now tied up in a compulsory process under the Just Terms Act meaning the land is likely to be taken forcibly, without any proper negotiations about a price. We remain hopeful HAC will obtain updated valuation advice in the next month so a fair agreement reflecting the market value of the land can still be reached."
Patent would like to reiterate its support for the new Level 4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Development, and we remain hopeful for an agreement with HAC.
