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Council green lights draft private hospital plans

The Orange council has approved draft plans for a new private hospital development in the city.

The $54 million health precinct includes an 80 room 'medi-motel'.

The council's sustainable development committee last night endorsed a draft environmental report and draft instrument of approval that will now be submitted to the Department of Planning for approval.

Mayor Reg Kidd says the development will enhance the region's medical facilities.

"I believe we'll just become a health precinct for regional NSW or western region NSW, I mean we have the hospital here, CSU [Charles Sturt University] have the dentistry school here, we've got the rural and mental health based here in Orange and the amount of doctors and specialists I think is just marvellous," he said.

Plans were also approved for a new purpose-built studio for a commercial radio station on Bathurst Road.

- ABC

© ABC 2008

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