A land claim over Old Gulgong Hospital lodged by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council “will be investigated promptly” according to the Trade and Investment Crown Lands division.
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Yesterday the state’s Crown Lands division confirmed it was their role to investigate and assess Aboriginal land claims under criteria of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.
This week it was reported the NSW Aboriginal Land Council had lodged a claim over the Old Gulgong Hospital site on behalf of the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council.
It is unknown what the NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s plans are should the land claim be determined in their favour. Yet the Council has reportedly opposed any demolition of the old hospital until the land claim has been determined.
Both the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council were contacted for comment yesterday.
Before news of the land claim, all indications were the Old Gulgong Hospital would be demolished.
Last month the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel backed a development application by NSW Health Infrastructure to demolish the old hospital despite protest from Gulgong and other Mid-Western Region residents.
Mid-Western Regional Councillors originally rejected the demolition application on several grounds based around significant public interest. This was despite Council’s planning staff recommending demolition.
After the Joint Regional Planning Panel decision a group dedicated to saving the Old Gulgong Hospital were seeking legal advice for further action.