Page 2376 - Week 08 - Thursday, 5 August 2021
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MR STEEL: I have already said that we would not rule out any options in terms of how we can help to manage the disruption during the build. We will work with emergency services around what their requirements are in terms of access around the road network. We will make sure that we reduce the amount of disruption overall in the city to make sure that we can keep all traffic moving throughout the city during what is going to be a very challenging time for the city but which will provide long-term benefits for our city and for Canberrans for generations to come.
Canberra Hospital—expansion
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, there are many changes underway at the Canberra Hospital campus. Can you please update the Assembly on the work that is being undertaken as part of the Canberra Hospital expansion?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. As members would be aware, the contract with Multiplex to deliver the new critical services building as part of the Canberra Hospital expansion was signed on 29 June. With today’s announcement of the development application being approved, this important work continues for the future of our health system—another milestone day for this project that would not have been achieved if the Canberra Liberals had been elected last year. The main works on the project have commenced. Relocation—
Mr Hanson: Because we would have built it in 2016. It would already be there!
Opposition members interjecting—
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: If you had been elected last year you would have already built it?
Relocation of inground utilities has been completed, and Multiplex are continuing their investigative works. Internal demolition to building 5 commenced in July, with complete demolition of buildings 5 and 24 scheduled to be finished by the end of 2021—quite different from the hole in the ground we would have gone into the pandemic with if the Canberra Liberals had had any say in the matter. We would have had a big hole in the middle of Canberra Hospital going into the pandemic if the Canberra Liberals had been in charge.
This comes on top of a range of early works that have already transformed the campus. The new building 8 was completed in July 2021 and provides upgraded facilities for the Canberra Sexual Health Centre and staff training. In addition, 12 apartments were refurbished in building 9 for short-term accommodation at the Canberra Hospital for interstate outpatients and carers. At the former CIT site in Woden, we have provided 750 car parking spaces for hospital staff and contractors, freeing up spaces on the campus. We will deliver 1,100 parking spaces in total.
Construction of the temporary prototype shed and the contractor compound also commenced in June, with the prototype shed scheduled for completion early next year.
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