THE Portland Hospital complex could again return to duty as an important service to the community if a proposal by at least one resident is adopted.
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The suggestion is for the old hospital and its ancillary Coleman House, a former aged care facility, to be utilised as emergency accommodation for homeless people as a women’s refuge.
The proponent, who does not wish to be named at the present time, is well informed on such needs after spending much of his working life in the government support sector.
He told the Lithgow Mercury there was an ideal opportunity existing to address an evident social problem without the challenges of a greenfields site.
He said that both the hospital and Coleman House had facilities that would no doubt now require some upgrading for residents to be self supporting.
“I believe it is a proposal worth pursuing and perhaps Lithgow Council could initiate the first moves,” he said.
The extent of homelessness in the region was outlined in an address by police, clergy and social workers to a meeting called by Catholic Church authorities in Portland last month.
Portland Hospital closed some years ago to make way for a first response modern health centre adjacent to Tabulam Cottage in Green Street.
The health centre was opened in 2007.
Shortly before its opening the then NSW Health Minister inspected progress and announced plans for the old hospital to be developed as a training centre for the medical profession.
It proved to be an empty political promise that never eventuated.
It is believed that the vacant hospital was briefly used as a transfer point for supplies for the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort.
Coleman House closed in more recent times.
There are prospects that the site could become available for community use.
But Larissa Hoyling, manager of facility planning and asset management with the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, said anyone interested should realise that upgrading work would be needed.
She said that a shed on the site is currently being used by the Lithgow Community Mental Health Team in conjunction with TAFE to conduct a horticulture course.
“This maintains a minor presence,” Ms Hoyling said.
“The buildings on this site are no longer suitable for occupation as they would need repairs and modifications,” she said.
The site has been on the department’s disposal register for the past two years.
She said the Local Health District is currently developing a business case to gain approval to dispose of the property as it is surplus to need,” Ms Hoyling said.
She said that any community groups interested in using the site would need to express their interest via a written application to the chief executive of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
