A WA parliamentary question scrutinises a second sod turning ceremony for the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment, questioning its necessity and potential cost blowouts. The Minister's response clarifies the event's purpose and reaffirms commitment to the project despite pandemic-related challenges.

AnsweredQoN 681Legislative Council
Asked
12 June 2024
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

GERALDTON
HEALTH CAMPUS — REDEVELOPMENT
681. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the media event held at
Geraldton Health Campus on 6 June 2024 when the minister participated in a second
sod turning for the same long-awaited and much-anticipated project.
(1) Was the
front-end loader used as a backdrop for the announcement already on the site
for works or was it brought in for the media event?
(2) Why was it
necessary to conduct a second sod turning for a project when the sod had
already been turned some four years prior?
(3) Did the
minister take the opportunity to recycle the same shovels used by the former
Minister for Health and now Premier four years prior?
(4) When will the
redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus be complete, and can the minister
guarantee that there will be no further cost blowouts associated with the
project?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1) The front-end loader was
already on site.
(2) The sod
turning had not previously occurred for main works on the Geraldton Health
Campus redevelopment. A sod turning occurred for forward works.
(3) The shovels were supplied by
the WA Country Health Service.
(4) Building
market conditions were significantly impacted by the pandemic. The Western Australian government remains committed to the $166.1 million
redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus. Works are expected to reach
completion in 2026.

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