After many months of very vigorous debate and mud-slinging, a sod-turning ceremony yesterday marked the countdown to the start of construction on the state-of-the art $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest was joined by Health Minister Brad Hazzard at the Cudgen Road site for the ceremony to mark the milestone.
‘Today’s event brings us one step closer to our new hospital, with early construction works given the green light to start next week,’ said Mr Provest.
‘Not only will our new hospital deliver world class healthcare services for the community closer to home, it will also bring hundreds of new jobs to the region and boost our economy.’
Mr Hazzard said the Tweed Valley Hospital is the cornerstone of the NSW Government’s more than half a billion investment in health for the Tweed-Byron region.
‘This new hospital will mean that more than 5000 patients each year will not have to travel outside of the region for life-saving treatments, he said.
‘Approval for this first stage of construction is the result of two years of detailed planning with clinicians, health staff, community members and local and state government agencies.’
The early works include preparation of the site for construction of the hospital buildings, including creation of permanent and temporary site access, bulk excavation, piling and retaining walls and in-ground services.
Local Tweed civil construction business, CD Excavations, has been awarded the first early works contract to carry out roadworks and the initial site preparation. This is one of more than 60 construction packages to be awarded to build the new hospital.
Health Infrastructure has now lodged a request with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to commence the Stage 2 State Significant Development application process. The request will seek approval for the detailed design, construction, and commissioning of the hospital buildings.
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