The Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn engaged us to seek community input on plans for the former St John of God Hospital site in Goulburn. We shared the plans through a project website with detailed FAQs and a drop-in session. Community feedback guided refinement of the design prior to lodgement of a Development Application.
The former St John of God Hospital at 234 Bourke Street has long been part of Goulburn’s community life. After health services relocated, the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn proposed a new future for the site, with a small motel in the former Marian Wing and new townhouses. Before lodging a Development Application (DA), the Archdiocese wanted to seek feedback from the community on the indicative plans to inform refinement of the design.
Our focus was on helping people understand what was proposed and why. An informative and accessible project website, with a detailed FAQ section, held the plans and site context. Flyers to nearby residents, targeted stakeholder emails and a media release raised broad awareness of the project. A drop-in information session at the Goulburn Soldiers Club let people talk through large-format plans with the project team. The conversations showed where people wanted more detail, particularly about past health services on the site. We responded by updating the FAQs and extending the engagement period so everyone had time to consider it.
Around half of submissions recognised the need for housing and supported renewing the site. Many people shared a strong personal connection to the former hospital building and suggested repurposing elements of it, such as the leadlight windows. Others raised questions about past health services, along with traffic and parking.
“The team were really easy to work with. They guided the process while ensuring input from the project development team was incorporated at every step. I had complete confidence in their ability to manage and deliver the engagement in a manner which was sympathetic to both the proposed project and the social and physical history of the site.”
Our Engagement Outcomes Report turned 44 submissions into practical recommendations to support design development ahead of DA lodgement. Community suggestions gave the design team a clear list of heritage elements to consider retaining or interpreting on the site. The report also highlighted opportunities for the DA to show how the design responds to the character of Bourke Street. The report accompanied the DA submission to Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the DA has since been approved.
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