The state government is refusing to reveal how much it will cost to redevelop two hospitals, despite previously naming a price on two occasions.
The state government is refusing to reveal how much it will cost to redevelop two hospitals in the Pilbara, despite previously naming a price on two occasions.
But tender documents show the build cost for the Tom Price hospital alone has likely blown out by at least $17 million since the project was promised in 2021.
In releasing the tender earlier this year the state government expected the Tom Price hospital redevelopment to cost about $50 million, $20 million of which would be paid for by Rio Tinto.
Costings for the Paraburdoo hospital are yet to be finalised: that build will also have $20 million allocated to it from Rio Tinto.
The Department of Finance and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson’s office would not provide the final figure when asked upon awarding the tender to Cooper and Oxley this week.
Cooper and Oxley will be able to get to work on the project prior to finishing design work for the Paraburdoo component under the state government’s early contractor involvement process.
The Tom Price rebuild will include a four-bed inpatient ward, dental, and pathology services. Work in Paraburdoo includes a new emergency department and space for a private GP clinic.
Shire of Ashburton figures released while the local government was locking horns with the state over the latter’s failure to build the Tom Price hospital when it said it would suggest the cost could be as high as $70 million.
Shire president Audra Smith on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of a contractor.
“The Shire will support this project with the land necessary for its success,” she said.
“We urge the state government to consider the ECI process as a priority in the coming months and we hope to see the design for the hospital in the new year, reflecting our community’s needs.”
Tom Price was promised a new hospital by the state government in 2021.
The state government announced it would rejig the tender for the build to include Paraburdoo and release it imminently two days after the WA Liberals announced they would build the hospital in their first term should they win next year’s state election.
It is abnormal to not disclose the price of public infrastructure - the Bunbury hospital redevelopment, for example, has been billed as a $451 million project.
The former Barnett government was upfront about the cost to build or redevelop several Pilbara hospitals – Karratha, South Hedland, Onslow, and Exmouth – during its time.
