Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon, left, Councillor Paul King OAM, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Hunter New England Health Sector general Manager Wendy Mulligan, Inverell Health Services Manager Katherine Randall, NSW Health Infrastructure Project Director David Bedingfield, Richard Crookes Construction New England North West General Manager Luke Gerathy, Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael and long-time hospital campaigner Bob Bensley at the announcement today on the site of the new hospital build.
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced that regional-based company Richard Crookes Construction had been awarded the contract to build the $30 million first stage of the Inverell District Hospital redevelopment.
Mr Marshall was joined at the announcement by Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon, local hospital staff, NSW Health Infrastructure Project Director David Bedingfield, Richard Crookes General Manager for the New England North West Luke Gerathy, local doctors, Inverell Chamber of Commerce and hospital campaigners.
“I’m delighted to announce that following a public tender process Richard Crookes Construction has been awarded the contract for first stage of the Inverell Hospital redevelopment,” Mr Marshall said.
“The company is familiar to many in the region and has strong track record in the bush as the builders of the new Narrabri and Tamworth hospitals and the current $60 million Armidale Hospital redevelopment.
“Richard Crookes also constructed the new $16 million Moree East Public School two years ago.
“I am excited that the Inverell community now has the opportunity to work with this company to deliver this critical health project and take full advantage of the economic opportunities for local business and tradies.
“To have this level of expertise drive the construction will be invaluable to delivering this facility on time and completed to the highest standards.”
Mr Marshall said locals would have the opportunity to work during the project’s construction and local businesses the chance to tender for sub-contract work.
“Similar to the Armidale Hospital project, the focus will be on keeping as much of the money for the new hospital local,” he said.
“Local tradies and businesses will have the chance to tender and quote for work from concreting, plumbing, supply of windows and fittings to painting and everything in between.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the entire town to be involved in the build and the government has mandated that 20 per cent of all workers on the site must be apprentices to up-skill our local young people.”
Mr Marshall said construction on the first stage would begin onsite next month, with a formal sod turning ceremony scheduled in a matter of weeks.
The $30 million second stage of the redevelopment, secured in the recent NSW Budget, is being designed by NSW Health Infrastructure and Mr Marshall expects the tender to go out publicly for the works before Christmas this year.
Mr Marshall thanked and paid tribute to the unwavering strong support of the Inverell community for the redevelopment of the hospital.
“It has been a tough slog at times to get this point and more than a few times many thought we would never get to this day,” he said.
“Now we have a builder and we are just weeks a way from seeing ground broken on this project – it is incredibly exciting for everyone involved and the Inverell community.”
Stage One ($30 million) of the $60 million Inverell Hospital redevelopment includes:
• New and expanded Emergency Department (6 to 9 spaces) including emergency care for children, mental health-related presentations and victims of sexual assault
• New 38-bed Inpatient Unit including:
o Paediatric facilities
o Maternity and birthing facilities
o General adult services, including palliative care
• New Medical Imaging (X-ray) Department (including identified future expansion zone for a CT scanner)
• New Operating Theatre, the first of two new theatres for the Hospital
• New Central Sterilising Unit
• New Day Surgery Unit (increase of 1 space to 6)
• Increased capacity for renal dialysis (increase of 2 chairs to 8)
• New main entry and admissions area
• New Mortuary.