THE state budget has delivered a new police station and an extra $30 million for stage two of the Inverell Hospital redevelopment.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said he was thrilled by the hospital announcement which also saw the remaining $25 million for stage one, to commence construction in August, fully funded.
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“This will totally revolutionise the delivery of healthcare in Inverell, and the stage one project has gone out for tender," he said.
“Now those tenders are being assessed and in a matter of weeks so construction of one stage can start late July this year.”
Stage one plans for the redevelopment of Inverell Hospital include the construction of a new and expanded emergency department, new 38-bed inpatient unit, paediatric facilities and new main entry and admissions area.
“The budget also allocates an extra $30 million, so the redevelopment is now a $60 million project and that comes on the back of calls from myself, council and the community to fast track stag two,” Mr Marshall said.
“We can now full scope and go out for tender for stage two of the hospital redevelopment before the end of the calendar year. Construction from stage one to stage two will flow seamlessly and it means we will have a completely brand new hospital.
“We will be able to deliver first-class primary and allied healthcare to the Inverell community, and with all the facilities that will satisfy the needs for the next three or four decades.”
The community received a second boost with the announcement of a new police station.
“This is a massive announcement, especially when its combined with the $8.52 million in the budget to build a brand new 24 hour police station,” Mr Marshall said.
“The new station will be designed and built with plenty of space to house additional police and modern technology to give our officers the resources and support they need to keep our community safe well into the future.
“The police station is something I have been arguing for together with the local police and council for about three years.
“All of Inverell’s Christmases have come at once in this year’s budget in regards to those infrastructure projects. I’m very excited.”
