Old Manji hospital wins support

People are being urged to sign a petition to stop the demolition of the Warren District Hospital.

As part of the contract to build the new Warren District Hospital, the old hospital will be demolished once the $39 million hospital opens next year.

However, the petition is advocating the original hospital be retained for other purposes.

Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei said the plan was to present the petition to the State Legislative Council before Parliament rose for the end of the year.

“We intend to present more signatures when Parliament comes back next year so it stays fresh in their minds,” he said.

“A significant number of people in town understand there is a contract, but they want to keep it.

“The Government may see a need for it in the future.”

The petition has already received more than 300 signatures.

Cr Omodei said it was hard to understand why a facility being used for medical patients could not be used a year later for alternative purposes such as crisis care or counselling.

He added the Manjimup Shire Council could not afford to take over running the hospital because of limited rates revenue and budget constraints.

“The only option is for the Government to keep it or lease or sell it,” he said.

Petition supporter and co-organiser Mary Nixon said there was a lot of history in the hospital.

“There’s also a real possibility of attracting long-term jobs to the hospital site,” she said.

“It’s not just about the emotional attachment, it’s also about what the hospital can be.”

Call Ms Nixon on 0450 687 656 to find out more about the petition.