NEW LOOK: How the Tamworth hospital redevelopment could look when complete.
WORK has begun to prepare Tamworth hospital for its major redevelopment with the name of the successful tenderer for the $220 million project announced.
The news of the builder for the main job coincides with a ministerial visit to Tamworth and Werris Creek today by Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Nationals MP Kevin Anderson, who will visit the hospital later today to inspect progress on the ground works.
They will also officially announce the successful tenderers for works on a new road and parking.
A tender has been awarded to Richard Crookes Construction – the firm appointed to build the Regional Cancer Care Centre – to complete the early works, which include the new access road and parking.
A separate tender was awarded to APP Corporation, a project management company with numerous offices around Australia, to oversee the redevelopment of the hospital, on September 25.
An APP spokesman said the company was committed to the hospital project for the region.
“We appreciate the importance of this project and will ensure continuity and stability to the existing hospital operations throughout the duration,” he said.
“This will be achieved through careful planning and supported by effective communication.”
The NSW government made a pre-election commitment to improve patient care and build better regional health infrastructure at Tamworth.
“I’m sure the local community is pleased to see this pledge becoming a reality,” MsSkinner said.
“Work has begun on the new access road and additional car parking to ensure traffic will flow smoothly around the campus.
“Major construction on the wider hospital redevelopment will be- gin early next year and will be complete in 2016.”
The NSW government has committed $100 million to the project with the federal government contributing $120 million under the Health and Hospitals Fund.
Ms Skinner said once construction of the new clinical buildings was under way – expected in 2013 – there would be increased traffic around the site.
“I know local planning teams have worked hard to ensure there is the least disruption for hospital visitors, staff, residents and tradespeople,” she said.
Ms Skinner said the overall redevelopment would include a mix of new and refurbished facilities, including the emergency department, operating theatres and day surgery unit, renal dialysis, medical, surgical and palliative care inpatient units, paediatrics unit, maternity, birthing suite and special care nursery, oral health unit and more.
A development application for the redevelopment project was lodged with the NSW Department of Planning in July.
The redevelopment is scheduled for completion in late 2016.