The Minister has riled not only the Mayor but also his fellow councillors by advising capital expenditure for the projects will only occur when funds become available.

Cr Keith tabled the Minister’s response at Tuesday’s council meeting at the Tullamore Bowling Club.

He described is as ‘one step forward and two steps back.’

“The Minister says she is committed to the new hospitals yet has provided no funding for planning to continue,” Cr Keith said.

“This is a really disappointing response. There’s no mention as to whether the planning is even continuing or that funds are being set aside.

“Planning for the redevelopment of Parkes and Forbes hospitals commenced in August 2008 under great fanfare despite funding for the projects being promised by the then Minister for Health Morris Iemma back in 2004.”

Cr Keith said previous letters to council from then Health Minister John Della Bosca had indicated planning on the projects would continue.

“There certainly hasn’t been any direction from current Minister Tebbutt to the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) in regards to a continuation of the planning process,” Cr Keith said.

The plans for both Parkes and Forbes were developed with the Lachlan Valley Planning and Implementation Committee.

This committee boasts representation from the Health Councils and Health Services of Parkes and Forbes, the NSW Ambulance Service, Greater Western Area Health Service and NSW Health.

In her letter to Cr Keith, the Minister indicated the NSW State Budget had been hard hit by the global recession.

“There is a requirement to

manage our capital works programme in a responsible way to ensure that projects already commenced can be delivered,” Ms Tebbutt wrote.

“I am aware of the history of planning for the Lachlan Valley Health Service and would like to reassure you that the NSW Government remains committed to redeveloping this Health Service when funds become available.

The reply went down like a lead balloon with council.

“We’re not going to leave it at that are we?” asked Deputy Mayor Cr John Magill.

“I suggest we write back again and tell the Minister her response is not acceptable.”

Mayor Ken Keith suggested council make representations through local Independent Member Dawn Fardell in seeking a meeting with Minister Tebbutt.

Councillors fully endorsed the recommendation.