Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment: Opposition calls for specific project time line after tender awarded

The State Government is yet to reveal a specific time line for WA’s most overdue major project — the redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus — despite awarding a tender for construction last week. The Opposition is calling for the Cook Government to provide a time line outlining when construction of the $122.7 million project will start and when it will be completed. It was announced on Friday that Multiplex is the successful tenderer appointed to undertake the main works for the long-awaited redevelopment. But shadow minister for regional health Martin Aldridge said the announcement was lacking in detail and more information should be laid bare after the State Government made consistent claims a time line would be known once a tender was issued. “After waiting for six years for a tender to be announced, Mid West residents have a right to know when this project will finally be delivered and how much it will cost,” he said. The works include an expanded emergency department, a new intensive care unit co-located with an improved high-dependency unit, and an integrated mental health service. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson was vague on details concerning a specific time line during a visit to Geraldton on Friday. Ms Sanderson did not disclose a specific date or how many beds would be available in total. All she would say is that works would start some time in 2024. The project isn’t expected to be complete until 2027, almost five years after the initial promised end date. Mr Aldridge said an updated hospital design should be drawn to ensure the new facilities would match the growing demand. “When the Geraldton Hospital redevelopment was conceived, it was predicated on meeting demand at 2025 levels. At this rate, by the time it is built, it already risks being obsolete,” he said. “Geraldton and Mid West residents deserve to have access to a modern and fit-for-purpose health facility, and will rightfully be asking themselves why it has taken the Labor Government over six years to get on with it.” A State Government spokesperson said construction on the main works would start next year and was not expected to cause disruption to the delivery of the hospital’s services. The spokesperson confirmed the first part of the project to be constructed was a temporary tunnel for access to the existing emergency department. “We will work to deliver this project as fast as possible for the people of Geraldton,” the spokesperson said. Multiplex regional managing director Chris Palandri said the company was delighted to have been appointed to construct the health campus and looked forward to delivering a world-class health asset. “We’ve already been on the ground in Geraldton to start conversations with local industry and suppliers, and expect there will be a number of opportunities available for local workers and businesses as construction ramps up next year,” he said. An Auditor-General’s review, released in October, of 20 major projects in WA revealed the Geraldton Health Campus was the most overdue, at 58 months past its original promised completion date.