Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton shares residents’ frustrations over hospital delays but says project is complex

Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton says he “understands” locals’ frustration with constant delays plaguing the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment. Last week, an Auditor-General’s report of 20 major projects revealed the Geraldton hospital upgrade was WA’s most delayed, behind its original schedule by 58 months. Ms Dalton has been vocal on the project being a priority for her, having helped deliver the first stage of the project — upgrades to the car park and hospital’s main entrance. The delays to the $123 million project have been attributed to ongoing problems in securing a contractor via tender to undertake the works. “I understand people’s frustrations, however, building a hospital is complex and it will take time,” Ms Dalton said. “This project has now progressed to the second stage of appointing a managing contractor — a process we expect will be completed later this year.” The procurement process is in progress with the evaluation of responses currently being assessed, and three tenderers have been shortlisted. The refurbishment of the hospital was initially forecast to be finished at the end of 2022 and had a budget of $73.3m. The existing project budget now sits at $122.66m, with an estimated completion date of January 2027.