Question - Disused nursing home in Launceston

Thursday 25 August 2022, Question without notice

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.44 p.m.]

(1) What is the status of the former and apparently disused nurses home between Howick and French streets in Launceston? Is it sitting empty or being currently used for a specific purpose?

(2) Does the Government still own this property?

(3) What are the future plans for this property?

ANSWER

(1) The Launceston General Hospital (LGH) nurses home has not been in use since May 2015, due to significant risks identified in relation to ageing wiring and noncompliance with the Building Code of Australia.

(2) The LGH nurses home building is owned by the Department of Health.

(3) The building condition assessment of the LGH nurses home was undertaken by an architect in 2020 to inform the development of the LGH precinct masterplan. The assessment identified that the nurses home was in very poor condition and unsuitable for the delivery of health services and it advised that a complete refurbishment would be required to bring the nurses home building up to a standard suitable for occupancy and to comply with the Building Code of Australia.

On the basis that a complete refurbishment would be costly and would take an extended period to complete, the architect recommended that the Department of Health dispose of the building.

Housing Tasmania has previously inspected the nurses home building and is considering whether it is suitable to be utilised for community housing. Should Housing Tasmania identify that the nurses home building is unsuitable, the Department of Health will then progress the sale of this property and will seek the necessary approvals to retain the sale proceeds to support implementation of the LGH precinct masterplan.