Plans for the construction of a private hospital in Hutten Heights, Newcastle faced setbacks at the end of October 2023 after the Newcastle Municipality rejected zoning plans. However, there is now some positive progress for the investors driving the proposed medical facility.
In November 2023, Newcastillian News reported a halt to the proposed R1.1 billion investment on Rooibok Avenue due to a back and forth on the development of the facility.
Furthermore, Municipal Manager Zamani Mcineka, in a letter dated 25 October 2023, explained that irregularities were brought to his attention by the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) Registrar, prompting the rejection of the town planning application submitted by the land surveyor in 2021.
In his letter, Mcineka emphasised the need for adherence to local government principles and statutory regulations, recommending a new application in line with the municipality’s bylaws to ensure compliance with requisite development plans.
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A month later, positive movement is evident in the establishment of the hospital. During the Newcastle Municipal Council Meeting on Tuesday, 5 December 2023, Newcastle Municipality Speaker Cllr Thengi Zulu sought recommendations from political parties regarding the hospital’s future. To which, the majority of parties expressed support, offering positive recommendations.
While showing approval, Cllr Thusi of Team Sugar South Africa said, “The hospital would be good for Newcastle, as it would contribute to the economy and job creation. Also, if there is a pandemic outbreak such as COVID, it would see more beds available, and less strain being put on the current hospitals.”
Sharing her input, the Democratic Alliance’s Cllr Connie Hariram noted that while the DA was in support of the project, the decision for its go ahead was already two years in the making. “One is under the impression that there was no motivation from the Newcastle Municipality,” she said, elaborating this stemmed from the developers not receiving enough feedback on how to address the issues and what was expected from them.
“If this type of behaviour continues, securing investment will become harder in Newcastle. However, we support the recommendation of the hospital.”
Speaking with Newcastillian News, Viresh Mahabeer, Director of Exar 2.0, the Architects leading the development, welcomed the positive recommendations made at Council.
“This said, many questions remain unanswered as to why the Town Planning Department have not approved our Rezoning Appeal done in accordance with SPLUMA, coupled with the declination letter received from the Municipal Manager. Should our application be approved given the positive support from Council, the hospital will be imperative, amongst the limited healthcare facilities currently available in Newcastle,” said Mahabeer.
In addition, he noted the proposed mining operations around Newcastle could overwhelm the current facilities due to an increased population, as well as health and safety risks posed by mining. Thus, reinforcing the need for the hospital’s development.
In terms of the project, the site for the hospital is approximately 30 000sqm, with the buildings occupying about 25 000sqm.
The development will be in three phases. Phase 1 will be the hospital, which will comprise 150 beds. Phase 2 will be the medical centre, which will comprise 25 medical suites and phase 3 will be a nursing college and residence, which will accommodate approximately 205 Nurses.
Moreover, the hospital would also provide approximately 450 full time jobs and 100 outsourced jobs. The nursing college will provide approximately 40 full time jobs. Additionally, Mahabeer further stated that the doctors will be a mixture of out of town doctors and locals.
To read more about the hospital, click here.
With developments around the proposed hospital, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
2 Responses
Please go ahead with the new hospital we need it how often have you heard of patients needing to go to hospital to be told there are no beds available and now with the mine opening and new residents moving to Newcastle hopefully we need this
As a mother to a special needs child I pray that this hospital will have facilities that can accomodate special needs children & more pediatric specialist Doctors, such as pediatric neurologists, cardiologists, pulmonologist, etc we need these in Newcastle. As it’s hard financially to be carting our children to JHB, PTA, DBN etc to see these kinds of Doctors.