The first step will be demolishing the non-heritage buildings and a streamlined ward building has been included in concept designs, indicating existing sections at its four corners would also be removed.

Cr Davis anticipated demolition work could start within three to six months, depending on development approval, and clearing the site was expected to take a further six months.

He said $2.3 million was enough to complete the work.

“It hasn’t been hit and miss, it’s too important a project, this could be in excess of $40 million,” he said.

A development control plan will need to be finalised to control housing types allowed on the site.

“It can vary subject to a lot of consultation ... over the next two or three years,” Cr Davis said.

General manager Garry Styles said the extensive environmental assessment involved with the site added time to the negotiations with NSW Health Infrastructure.

“There’s a little bit of asbestos, we were happy to find out there wasn’t much,” he said.

Mr Styles said the council would look to a range of funding options as development progressed. 

“Whether it be joint ventures or deals with developers, some of our own sourced income, or whether we stage it and make the money out of that and reinvest in subsequent stages,” he said.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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