Calls for public consultation about Bowral’s hospitals are coming from all over the Highlands. The latest was from the council chambers.

Councillor Gordon Markwart called on his fellow councillors to present a unanimous front and demand answers about the future of Bowral and District Hospital. “What’s more important to the community than community and future health? Not much,” he said.

Cr Markwart said the responses received, if at all, by council in regard to the hospital developments had been less than satisfactory. He put forward a motion that council source a copy of the most recent Clinical Services Plan (CSP) by applying through the government’s public information request process known as GIPA – Government Information (Public Access).

“Council owes it to the community to use its might to try and force something out of the state government,” he said. “The only people who know what’s going on are the people who aren’t telling us.”

Cr Markwart, who is a member of resident-formed community action group Public Health First, said the community could be heard if it made enough noise.

If the GIPA request is denied, Cr Markwart’s motion sets out a plan to accelerate the request through higher channels. Some councillors noted that could be a time-consuming and expensive process, but most agreed it was worth the effort – including mayor Ken Halstead. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t ask for this and there is no reason we should be embarrassed about asking for this,” he said.

Councillor Grahame Andrews said it shouldn’t be a role of council and was inclined to oppose the motion, but was persuaded at the time of vote – making it a unanimous decision.

Upcoming information sessions about the hospital redevelopment have been scheduled through the Highlands by South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD):

• Monday 3 April – Bowral Memorial Hall, 24 Bendooley St, Bowral from 6.30pm - 8.30pm

• Thursday 6 April – Sutton Forest: Sutton Forest Hall from 11.00am – 1.00pm 

• Thursday 6 April – Bundanoon: Bundanoon Soldiers’ Memorial Hall from 4.00pm – 6.00pm 

• Friday 7 April – Exeter: Exeter Village Hall from 11.00am – 1.00pm

• Monday 10 April – Moss Vale: Wingecarribee Council Chambers (Gibraltar Room) from 11:00am – 1:00pm 

• Monday 10 April – Mittagong: Mittagong Community Centre from 2:00pm – 4:00pm

• Tuesday 11 April – Bowral: Bowral & District Hospital from 9:30am – 12:30pm