It appears the NSW Government have an affinity for pulling funds from upcoming projects, and scrambling to reposition the budget to counteract the state’s debt.

Much like the Lindfield Village Hub for Ku-ring-gai Council, the campus of the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) in St Leonard’s is at the forefront of Willoughby City Council’s discussions.

Council is concerned that proposed commercial development on the southern site of the RNSH will hinder more relevant expansions of health-related services.

The Northern Sydney Local Health District Board recently endorsed a Royal North Shore Hospital Master Plan for 2023-2063. The Masterplan has been completed with the NSW Ministry of Health and Health Infrastructure planning process.

At the time of publication, Willoughby City Council are yet to sit for their Ordinary Meeting of Council for November. On the agenda is a motion to be moved by either Councillors Roussac and Samuel, where Council are to write to the NSW Premier, Chris Minns; NSW Treasure, Daniel Mookhey; NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park; and the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully. The motion requests a briefing on the southern campus of the RNSH along Herbert Street, and the opportunity for the community and clinicians to give feedback on the proposed changes to the site.

The motion moves to note that Willoughby City Council, North Sydney Council, and Land Cove Council have been actively fighting to reserve the land in question for public health related services for a period of over 100 years. With the motion, Council are to prepare a report that summarised the Masterplan and accounts the implications the commercial development would mean for Council and the community.

The Post will bring any updates on the site of the Royal North Shore Hospital in the new year.