The Culcairn community filled the Greater Hume Shire council chambers to have a last say on the development, which went before the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel.

Two community members registered to speak at the meeting to request reinforced ceilings for overhead lifters in the rooms.

The town's health advisory committee even offered to fundraise to have it added to the build.

Room sizes and service disruptions during construction were also mentioned.

The community and panel expressed support for the project, but wanted to ensure it would be done right.

A major concern of the panel was vehicles, including trucks for rubbish, washing and food services, would not be able to safely access the building.

Panel member Alison McCabe said the dimensions of the planned turning circle were tested by engineers.

“Health hasn't given any information to council about turning facilities,” she said during the meeting. 

“Council engineers tested a garbage truck and it couldn't get around. 

“We need certainty it can be satisfied.”

Health Infrastructure NSW project director Susann Taylor indicated a nine-metre vehicle should be able to make the turn.

The panel moved to defer the application until the department can show service vehicles would be able to enter and leave in a forward direction.

The final build at Culcairn Hospital and Kiltearn House would include seven inpatient beds, 16 residential aged care rooms, seven acute care bays, a community health facility and staff accommodation.

Culcairn local health advisory committee chairman David Gilmore said he was hopeful the department would contact him about the reinforced ceilings.

Mr Gilmore spoke with staff and engineers involved with Henty and Numurkah hospitals, which both have ceiling lifters. The plan for Culcairn only included the reinforced ceiling in two rooms, with mobile lifters to be used in the rest.

“We are still going to fight for that,” Mr Gilmore said.

“The people coming into those aged care rooms might be low care, but as they go on they will need high care.

“Our committee has funds we could put in, we would be prepared to buy lifter motors to go on the tracks.

“They are about $4000 each, but it needs to be done as a part of the construction, it needs to support 200kg weight. 

“We saw it work in Henty and it was really great for the safety of patients and staff.”