THE contractor for the new $117.9 million Busselton Hospital has been selected.
State Treasurer and Vasse MLA Troy Buswell said Doric Contractors Pty Ltd (Doric) was the preferred company to build the new campus.
“The final details of the contract with Doric are being negotiated and subject to those negotiations being successfully concluded, they will start on site in a few weeks,” Mr Buswell said.
The health campus, including the new Busselton Hospital, is expected to be completed in 2014.
“It’s almost the last piece of the jigsaw in relation to delivery of the hospital,” Mr Buswell said.
“I look forward to the pre-construction work. Doric have a solid history in delivering hospitals and other major projects in WA.
“The feedback from when Doric have been involved focus on local work force engagement. Once their signature is on the contract we will arrange for the mayor, Ian Stubbs, and myself to meet with them, so we can see at what level we can maximise local contractor involvement.
“The new health campus has been keenly anticipated by the local community. We have had to deal with some opposition along the way, but it is now underway and I’m sure the community will watch with interest as the new hospital emerges.
“The final two hurdles were overcome when the project received approval from the Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and appeals against a State vegetation clearing permit were dismissed.”
“Appointment of the main contractor will enable us to move forward with certainty,” Mr Buswell said.
“The new campus will include a total of 64 overnight and 20 same-day beds including a renal unit, two theatres, a procedure room and an expanded Emergency Department.
“There will be an expanded medical imaging department and an ambulatory care centre including community health, community mental health, aged care, specialist outpatient consulting rooms and a dental clinic.”
Doric have been engaged in, or are working on, some of the State’s major projects.
They include the Acacia Prison expansion, the WA Institute of Medical Research at QEII Medical Centre, Hope Downs 4 accommodation village, Hedland health campus, Denmark Hospital, redevelopment of Broome Hospital and Bethesda Hospital redevelopment.
The Busselton Health Campus is being funded by the WA Government, Royalties for Regions program and the Commonwealth.
While the approved budget for the campus is $117.9 million, an additional $2.55 million is pending a project agreement from the Commonwealth Health and Hospitals Fund for the construction of six dental chairs.
