Page 4046 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 30 November 2022
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Australian international firm Hassell is the architect responsible for the Sydney Theatre Company and will collaborate with international multidisciplinary design studio Snohetta, known for their work on the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and the Times Square redevelopment.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, how will the next phase of the procurement process be undertaken?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. These three consortia are now developing designs, with the current phase of the procurement process expected to run until the first quarter of 2023. Following an evaluation process, it is expected that the successful consortium will be selected from the three tenderers and appointed as the ACT government’s design partner by mid-2023 to develop and deliver detailed Canberra Theatre designs.
The successful tenderer will work closely with Major Projects Canberra during the design phase to provide opportunities for stakeholders and the community to engage and provide input into the final design. We expect that the design, public consultation and approval processes will take around two years and will inform planning for the project’s construction phase.
A renewed Canberra Theatre Centre will deliver a major new theatre and reimagine the current facilities to support the presentation and production of international, national and local performances, concerts and events. This landmark project directly supports Canberra’s ambition to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital.
Canberra Hospital—birth centre
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, I have heard that two of the five birth centre rooms at the Canberra Hospital are currently being used as COVID isolation rooms. While I understand that this might have been important during the peak of the pandemic, one of the things that women say is so important about the birth centre is being able to give birth in a home-like environment, and that is something that the birth centre rooms provide. Can you tell me how many women on average each month are on the waitlist to use those rooms, and how many women are on the waitlist to access midwife-led continuity of care services?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Clay for the question. On the issue of the closed birth centre rooms, I did raise that immediately. That was something that was raised at the 30th anniversary of the birth centre dinner that Ms Clay, Ms Davidson and I all attended. I did raise that with the executive director of women, youth and children that evening, and I was assured that that was not, in fact, the case.
As we talked about last week, Ms Clay, it is really important to differentiate, in that the birth centre is not a model of care. There is some work going on in relation to ensuring that those women who are booked into and commence birthing in the birth centre are able to stay in the birth centre, even if their need for care is escalating. I think that is really important, to ensure that people giving birth remain in a safe
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