An Illawarra MP has used a shiny shovel to break ground on the very early stages of the Shellharbour Hospital upgrade – four years, and a full term of government, after the multimillion-dollar project was announced.
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Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward turned the first sod turn on the $251 million redevelopment of Shellharbour public hospital on Friday.
The ceremonial breaking of earth came exactly four months out from the next state election, on March 23, and 44 months after the upgrade was promised in day’s leading up to the 2015 NSW poll.
Early works to prepare the site for construction will now get under way. Construction is tipped to begin mid next year and the main works are due to finish in late 2021. “This is something we said we would get under way in the 2018/19 financial year. Whenever we make a promise, we get it done,” Mr Ward said. The upgrade includes more operating theatre capacity, a new ED and extra critical care services.
Mr Ward said additional staff would be part of the redevelopment. “When you expand services, when you provide more operating theatres, when you provide more beds, of course that comes with extra staff,” he said.
Last year, 82 senior doctors called for more money to be spent on the upgrade. On Friday, Mr Ward said the quarter of a billion dollars was secured in consultation with doctors and nurses.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
