PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: MODBURY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (11:33): I move:

That the 456^th report of the committee, entitled Modbury Hospital Redevelopment, be noted.

The Public Works Committee has been presented with a proposal for the Modbury Hospital redevelopment stage 1, which comprises the redevelopment of the emergency department and a new building to accommodate 36 rehabilitation beds and associated treatment facilities. The total capital cost budgeted for the project is $46.37 million, GST exclusive.

The proposed solution will provide for a complete reconfiguration, refurbishment and expansion of the existing ED area on the ground floor of the existing main building complex, the existing covered ambulance set-down area to be replaced and enlarged to accommodate increased ambulance activity and to cater for larger ambulances, and the installation of earthquake structural bracing within the refurbished area of the existing building consistent with a progressive upgrade approach to the existing buildings—it is on a fault line.

The construction of the emergency department is expected to be completed by December 2013, with the rehabilitation building to be completed by December 2018. Given this, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (11:35): I would like to say how welcome this development is to the people of the north-eastern area, not only in my seat of Florey but also in the seats of Torrens and Newland (whose member is in here at the moment). We welcome the refurbishment of the emergency section; however, we note that the rehab section will be delayed for some time. In the north-eastern suburbs we have worked really hard to make sure that the Modbury Hospital remains the much-loved institution that it is. The Modbury Hospital local action group did a great deal of work at the time of privatisation to make sure that it remained a public hospital. We acknowledge the work of all the staff over the years who have made it the wonderful place that it is who will enjoy enormously the refurbishment and the new amenities of the emergency section.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:36): The opposition in the committee was pleased to support the project. It was also pleased to assist the member for Florey in the issue which is a most important project for her area. Having said all that, I will sit down because we support it.

Motion carried.