WESTERN Australia’s commercial construction sector is reaping the benefits of the state government’s commitment to the upgrade of the state’s medical infrastructure and facilities.
WESTERN Australia’s commercial construction sector is reaping the benefits of the state government’s commitment to the upgrade of the state’s medical infrastructure and facilities.
In rural Western Australia, the WA Country Health Service’s $1 billion capital works program continues to provide opportunities for construction firms seeking to expand their reach outside the metropolitan area.
Late last month, Belmont-based builder Pindan was awarded the latest phase in the $55.8 million redevelopment of Kalgoorlie Health Campus.
The contract, which is the most extensive phase of the redevelopment, involves the demolition of an old building and construction of a new block at the front of the site to provide a new front entrance and foyer to lead to new emergency and medical imaging departments.
Health Minister Dr Kim Hames said phase two of the upgrade would complement the new Palliative Care Unit, which was opened early last month.
The redevelopment, which is being partly funded by $15.8 million from the state’s Royalties for Regions fund, is expected to be completed late in 2013.
And also in December, Dr Hames announced that national construction giant John Holland had been appointed to begin construction at the $170 million Albany Health Campus.
John Holland was awarded the stage one early contractor involvement contract in July to develop the hospital’s design to the point where a price for construction could be offered.
“The project has progressed smoothly through the ECI phase, reflecting the strength of our collaborative approach with all project stakeholders,” John Holland western region general manager Adam Harry said.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government of Western Australia, the WA Country Health Service, along with the hospital’s user groups to deliver an outstanding facility for the region.”
The Kalgoorlie and Albany projects follow the delivery last year of the $138 million Hedland Health Campus, a $40.5 million increase in Busselton Hospital’s redevelopment budget and a $19.4 million redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital.
There are also major opportunities within the medical infrastructure sphere in the metropolitan area.
In late November, state cabinet approved the $1.17 billion budget for Perth’s new children’s hospital at QEII Medical Centre.
The government will call for tenders next month to construct the children’s hospital, which will be built under a two-stage “managing contractor model”, similar to the “early contractor involvement” model in place at the $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital and Albany Health Campus.
But unlike Fiona Stanley and Albany, the successful bidder for the children’s hospital will subcontract to a state government-approved architectural services team which will be responsible for the building’s design.
The state government also began seeking expressions of interest from construction firms last June to build a multi-storey carpark at QEII, which will be funded and operated under a public-private partnership.
Dr Hames announced in October the government was seeking expressions of interest to deliver and operate the new Midland Health Campus, which is scheduled to open in 2015.
The $360 million project is jointly funded by the state and commonwealth governments. A preferred proponent will be selected late this year, with construction set to begin early in 2012.
