JV team named as architect for Vasse hospital

Despite several delays and tussles between stakeholders, a new 75-bed hospital for Vasse in the Busselton region is set to go ahead, with the architectural tender having been awarded to joint venture team, Bateman Grundmann Wilson Architects and Woodhead.

The project, valued at $77.4 million, will include an expanded 24-hour emergency department, two operating theatres and birthing suites, medical imaging and pathology services.

Located on a greenfield site, the hospital will be co-located with a private 95-bed aged care facility and medical centre, to be developed by St Ives Group.

The site for the hospital has been the focus of a long-running conflict between the state government and the Busselton shire, which would have preferred the new hospital to be located close to the existing hospital.

While the WA Planning Commission has moved to over-rule the shire, there may yet be a problem with the St Ives site next door.

The land for both the hospital and aged-care facility is zoned for agricultural use, and although the WAPC was able to change the zoning on state land, it could not do the same on privately held land.

Busselton shire president Wes Hartley said it was unlikely the site would be zoned for any other purpose, and it would require a lot of work to develop.

"There has to be three metres of [sand] fill over the entire four-hectare site, and that is a significant amount of dirt," he said.

Health Minister Jim McGinty said wider consultation with health professionals and the community would be undertaken once initial concept designs were finished.

"[The development] provides for synergies with private sector partners to improve health care services in the South West, to meet the needs of current residents and future generations," he said.

Tenders for construction are scheduled to be called by mid-2009, with works to begin in the second half of the year.

According to this timeframe, the hospital will be open to patients by July 2011.

Bateman Grundmann Wilson Architects has previously consulted to the state government on the Port Hedland Hospital redevelopment, as well as the King Edward Memorial Hospital neonatal facilities.

The firm has been awarded a number of government contracts in recent years, including several office fit-outs for the Department for Community Development and the Public Transport Authority.

Woodhead is currently undertaking a number of commercial and tourism projects, including the new Durack Centre and interpretive centres at Shark Bay and the Pinnacles.