Earthworks are well underway for the $60 million Inverell District Hospital redevelopment, with around 7000 tonnes of rock crushed since the first sod was turned in August.
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“Absolutely amazing the work that’s been done in what I believe is a short time since we were here last,” Inverell mayor Paul Harmon said following a tour of the site on Tuesday.
“Now the site’s unrecognisable.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was impressed by the progress made on the project, which he said was right on schedule, if not ahead.
“The plans are to pour the first slabs for the pad for the foundation before Christmas, which is terrific. That’s not supposed to happen strictly speaking ‘til after Christmas,” Mr Marshall said.
“So all things being equal, we should be a little bit ahead of schedule by Christmas, which is great.”
He said the project was on track for the completion of stage one by mid-2020, which would allow for a seamless transition into stage two.
The excavation involves the removal of about 6000 cubic metres of material, with hard basalt rock making up most of the site. Much of the excavated rock will be crushed by specialised equipment to be reused as construction fill – resulting in very solid foundations for the new building. Up to 12,000 tonnes of rock and material will be excavated and crushed altogether.
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Richard Crookes Construction have finished the demolition of existing structures on the reconstruction site, and more than half of the foundation is at its final level, ready for more detailed service excavation.
A 24 space carpark with access roads off Moore Street has also been completed. At this stage, 12 local businesses have been involved in the project.
On concerns raised by local health advocates, Mr Marshall assured that the state government endorsed plans have not changed.
“We’ll have a new and expanded renal dialysis unit, extra beds throughout the facility, two new operating theatres and discussions are ongoing between Hunter New England Health and the private provider in town about increasing the availability of CT scanning services,” he said.
Mr Marshall said there will be room in the new hospital for a CT scanner, and that another possibility may involve increasing the availability of the current machine in the middle of town to extended hours seven days a week. He said both options would negate the need to transport patients to Armidale for diagnostic scans.
“Adding to that, that private provider is seeking at the moment federal government approval and a licence to have an MRI scanner in Inverell, which would be enormous, because there are very, very few communities the size of Inverell that have MRI machines throughout this state,” he said.
He encouraged locals to visit Hunter New England Health website to view the plans for the redevelopment.
Mr Marshall assured that the planning of stage two is well on track, and should be announced publicly “in the not too distant future”. Stage two will involve clearing the existing hospital and refurbishing the space, moving community, allied health and dental services all into one structure.
“All of Inverell’s health services will be right here on site under the one roof,” he said.
Mr Marshall said he found it “incredibly surreal” to finally see the work underway after years of lobbying.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few moments over the last four years when I didn’t think that this would actually ever happen. It was a hard slog. It didn’t need to be as hard as it was but it was, and we put up a good fight as a community and the result is here,” he said.
“This is going to be tremendous. A $60 million investment, and brand new health services and a health facility. It’s going to be magical.”
“It’s great to come now and see it in this stage, but (I’m) looking forward to when we actually stand there and the official doors are opened,” Cr Harmon said.
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