The State Government project will go under the knife at tonight’s Maitland City Council meeting, only months after the proposal was publicly exhibited in June.

No submissions were received.

Despite issues associated with impacts within the Heritage Conservation Area and Regional Significance listing of the site, car parking and the community benefit, the council’s officers recommended approval.

Report author and principal planner Philip Carroll said the design was “respectful and non-intrusive to its surrounds” and would offer improved medical service to the city.

The expansion and refurbishment of the main entrance and emergency department will:

n increase the number of patient spaces from 17 to 25 (an increase in gross floor area of about 675sqm)

n reconfigure associated emergency department support spaces

n replace the main entrance functions of the main hospital reception, security, admissions officer and after-hours nurse manager office

n alter car parking, ambulance and pedestrian drop off areas, and

n change circulation flows into the hospital.

“The project will offer improved medical facilities for the Maitland community in terms of capacity to care for a larger number of patients at any one time in a modern, better designed emergency unit,” Mr Carroll said.

“The development will have a positive impact on the local economy in terms of employment opportunities during the construction phase of the project and once completed, in the health care sector.”