BY DAKOTA TAIT
There's concern the State Government could be moving to sell off the former Maitland Hospital, without consulting the community on other ideas for the site.
A number of community and mental health services are still housed at the former hospital, but are set to move to the new Metford site once a new facility is planned, built, and complete.
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says it's worrying the plans haven't been discussed with the community.
"They've said that after they remove those people from the site, they will be disposing of the building," she said.
"That's to me a slap in the face for the people of Maitland. This is a building that's really important to the community - we've had people who've been born there, family members who've died there."
"It's part of the fabric of the community, and the community should have had a say, well before now, on what was going to happen."
Earlier in the year, Maitland Council discussed its vision for the site, including potential uses in education, tourism, or for another healthcare provider.
The community's also raised calls for a second hospital or as a museum or cultural centre.
If the State Government sells the property, it's unclear if the campus would be demolished or what else it might look like in private hands.
"There's some really important heritage buildings on that site," Ms Aitchison said. "It's actually a time capture of the different styles of hospital construction throughout the years."
"There are obviously some parts of the building which are no longer fit for purpose at all - there's asbestos on the site I know."
