Staff and community members involved in the planning and design of the new $723.3 million
Tweed Valley Hospital had the opportunity to contribute a personal touch to the hospital campus by bringing back native seedlings for planting within the new landscaped gardens.
The native seedlings were gifted to staff and community members in December 2021, and have been grown and nurtured over the past two years.
The planting of the seedlings in the new community garden signifies the role staff and the community have played in the design and planning of the major hospital development.
Over 400 staff members from The Tweed Hospital were involved in the planning and design of the new hospital, and more than 119 community members have generously volunteered their time and expertise along the way.
The community garden will be located at the east entry to the hospital and will create a welcoming place for patients, visitors and staff. A small, commemorative plaque will mark the location of the garden, to share the significance of the contribution of staff and community to the new hospital.
The garden will be one of the many landscaped gardens spread across the 19.4-hectare site, which will soon be home to over 240,000 native plants and shrubs and 455 trees.
Local Aboriginal Elder and native plant expert Uncle Franc Krasna was consulted on the landscaping plan for the hospital which will give the new Tweed Hospital a unique and distinctive identity
The hospital’s grounds will feature a range of native plants, shrubs and trees, plants, which aims to create an interactive public health space to enhance the experience of those working or visiting the new hospital.
The Tweed Valley Hospital is due to open to patients in 2024.