By Corey Everitt
Some new developments have been noticed around the site of the future Pakenham Community Hospital, despite the recent revelation that the project is back in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
A new barrier has been installed in Pakenham Place, with some residents noticing a few workers around the site.
On Monday 21 October, an arborist was seen surveying the site’s perimeter.
A spokesperson for the State Government said this recent activity is still in the planning stage.
“We are continuing design consultation and planning on the Pakenham project to ensure we get it right for the local community,” they said.
“Over the coming days and weeks, fencing and hoarding will go up to secure the community hospital site – this will pave the way for early works construction to start.”
It was revealed this month that the State Department of Health is again back in court over the community hospital, as the current owners of Pakenham Place are disputing the proposed compensation for the State’s compulsory acquisition of the old Woolworths building.
Over the last few weeks, residents have circulated an information sheet from the Victorian Health Building Authority stating the continuation of ‘critical planning, design and site preparation work’ for the community hospital.
It told residents to ‘expect to see increased people and vehicle movements’ with normal working hours between 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
