❓ Question regarding the site selection for the new Karratha hospital, considering climate change, community consultation, and alternative sites. The answer provides details on the selection process, factors considered, and measures taken to address potential risks.
AnsweredQoN 1676Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the building of a new hospital in Karratha, I ask: (a) when was this site selected and by whom; (b) what were the determining factors for the site's selection; (c) did the Minister take into account the effects of climate change when selecting the site, including in the event of a cyclone and storm surge; (d) was the 1988 Department of Land Administration climate change inundation map for Karratha taken into account during site selection; (e) how will the sea level rise, predicted by the Climate Council to be one metre by the end of the century, affect the new Karratha hospital and access to it; (f) was community consultation undertaken and, if so, when, with whom and what was the feedback: (i) if no to (f), why not; (g) what earthworks are required to ensure sufficient elevation about the floodplain and at what cost; (h) were any alternative sites considered for the hospital: (i) if yes to (h), where were they, what was the cost of construction and why were they not selected; and (ii) if no to (h), why not; and (i) how will the Minister guarantee public access to the new hospital at all times, including during flood events?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2014
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Regional Development
Response time
35 days
(a) WA Country Health Services (WACHS), Department of Health, Treasury, Pilbara Cities Office and LandCorp were involved in the site selection process and the site was approved by Cabinet in November 2012.
(b) The determining factors for site selection included:
· Value for money
· Minimising impact, cost and risk on continuous delivery of health services
· Alignment to existing plans and policy including the State's Pilbara Cities initiative, the Karratha City of the North Plan and the Pilbara Planning and Infrastructure Framework.
· Securing access to a range of proximal accommodation options for patients, visitors and staff
· Maximising opportunities to leverage contribution to local business
· Providing greater opportunity for specialist staff attraction and retention where they are able to work within a connected city centre
· Contribution to the urban revitalisation of the Karratha town centre;
· Future residential/commercial opportunities associated with redevelopment existing hospital site
(c) Yes.
(d) No - the more current
2011 Karratha Coastal Vulnerability Study
was used.
(e) Both the floor level for the Health Campus, and perimeter roads, will be higher than the 2110 predicted sea level identified in the 2011 Karratha Coastal Vulnerability Study. The predicted sea level rise is therefore not expected to impact the hospital or access to it.
(f) Yes - the development of a new hospital was included in the Karratha City of the North Plan which underwent community consultation throughout 2009 and the start of 2010 prior to its finalisation in June 2010. In addition, in May 2012, community feedback was sought and provided at both the Nickol Bay hospital staff forum and community announcement forum regarding the city centre location. Issues raised included traffic management, flood risk and maintaining access to the hospital in the event of a major cyclonic or flood event. These matters were subsequently addressed through the detailed project planning process.
(g) Approximately 152,000m³ of fill will be imported at a cost of $7.7 million;
(h) Yes.
(i) A new build on the Nickol Bay Hospital site on Dampier Road (the current site) and a part new, part refurbishment of the existing Nickol Bay Hospital were also considered. The analysis showed an immaterial difference in the financial evaluation between the construction costs for the new build on the new site and a new build on the current hospital site. The new green field site was considered superior due to the social and economic benefits to the urban revitalisation of Karratha, (location of the new site as well as potential for development on the former site) and minimising the potential for service disruption.
(ii) Not applicable.
(i) The Karratha Health Campus site and perimeter roads will be at levels above the predicted 2110 flood conditions.
(b) The determining factors for site selection included:
· Value for money
· Minimising impact, cost and risk on continuous delivery of health services
· Alignment to existing plans and policy including the State's Pilbara Cities initiative, the Karratha City of the North Plan and the Pilbara Planning and Infrastructure Framework.
· Securing access to a range of proximal accommodation options for patients, visitors and staff
· Maximising opportunities to leverage contribution to local business
· Providing greater opportunity for specialist staff attraction and retention where they are able to work within a connected city centre
· Contribution to the urban revitalisation of the Karratha town centre;
· Future residential/commercial opportunities associated with redevelopment existing hospital site
(c) Yes.
(d) No - the more current
2011 Karratha Coastal Vulnerability Study
was used.
(e) Both the floor level for the Health Campus, and perimeter roads, will be higher than the 2110 predicted sea level identified in the 2011 Karratha Coastal Vulnerability Study. The predicted sea level rise is therefore not expected to impact the hospital or access to it.
(f) Yes - the development of a new hospital was included in the Karratha City of the North Plan which underwent community consultation throughout 2009 and the start of 2010 prior to its finalisation in June 2010. In addition, in May 2012, community feedback was sought and provided at both the Nickol Bay hospital staff forum and community announcement forum regarding the city centre location. Issues raised included traffic management, flood risk and maintaining access to the hospital in the event of a major cyclonic or flood event. These matters were subsequently addressed through the detailed project planning process.
(g) Approximately 152,000m³ of fill will be imported at a cost of $7.7 million;
(h) Yes.
(i) A new build on the Nickol Bay Hospital site on Dampier Road (the current site) and a part new, part refurbishment of the existing Nickol Bay Hospital were also considered. The analysis showed an immaterial difference in the financial evaluation between the construction costs for the new build on the new site and a new build on the current hospital site. The new green field site was considered superior due to the social and economic benefits to the urban revitalisation of Karratha, (location of the new site as well as potential for development on the former site) and minimising the potential for service disruption.
(ii) Not applicable.
(i) The Karratha Health Campus site and perimeter roads will be at levels above the predicted 2110 flood conditions.
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