Plans are progressing for a new hospital in Otago Central Lakes

Health NZ is developing a Clinical Services Plan for Central Otago to keep up with booming population growth.

The only emergency department in the region is nearly 40-years old and was built when the population was at 30-thousand.

Now it's closer to 80 thousand.

Southland MP Joseph Mooney says 70 per cent of New Zealand's population who live more than two hours' drive from a base hospital, live in the area.