Demolition to allay health fears

Dec. 2, 2014, 8:54 p.m.

COMMUNITY concerns surrounding an empty old hospital building on Mornington Island should be removed by the end of the year.

COMMUNITY concerns surrounding an empty old hospital building on Mornington Island should be removed by the end of the year.

North West Hospital and Health Service chief executive Sue Belsham said the health service would engage a specialist contractor to remove the building on behalf of the Mornington Shire Council and in consultation with the council.

Mrs Belsham said the Department of Health and the North West HHS together would meet the estimated $250,000 cost of the buildings demolition and removal.

While responsibility for the land and building now sits with the shire council, the Department of Health and North West HHS acknowledge that they continue to bear some responsibility for its status, which was not fully appreciated at the time of transfer of the property to the council in 2000, she said.

The community is concerned over the deteriorating condition of the building, which is sometimes used as a playground by local children.

Mornington Shire Council held an asbestos awareness campaign to share health information for the children within the community, who may have been exposed to asbestos from playing in the old Lardil Street hospital.

Council chief executive Frank Mills said measures to ensure the core objective for the day remains focused towards health education.

Council decided to hold the event, a first for the shire, to educate the community [children] about health and asbestos, he said.

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Demolition to allay health fears