Public Works Committee: Repat Health Precinct

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:22): I move:

That the 81^st report of the committee for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament, entitled 'Reactivation of the Repat Health Precinct phase 2', be noted.

In December 2019, the Public Works Committee considered phase 1 of the reactivation of the Repat Health Precinct and recommended the scope of the proposed public works which were then put before the committee, and the committee did so with some delight and also with great passion for what was then proposed. The Department for Health and Wellbeing has since referred phase 2 to the Public Works Committee and it was again an absolute pleasure for the committee to consider the scope of those works, and to consider the budget allocation that had been proposed in the sum of $102 million. Mr Speaker, you will remember that phase 1 was $43 million and phase 2 is $59 million.

Phase 2 of the works largely involves the upgrade and expansion of existing facilities on the Repat site. The proposed scope of works includes refurbishment and new building works to accommodate the brain injury rehabilitation and spinal cord injury rehabilitation inpatient facilities, and development of a rehabilitation exercise physiology gymnasium and sports stadium with emphasis placed on wheelchair skills, therapy, recreation and sport and training.

The works also include development of a veterans' wellbeing centre to build and strengthen relationships, improve service coordination, improve advocacy and also integrate health promotion activities, and development of a town square, providing a focal point for the Repat and connecting various services across the precinct. We were informed that the town square will include a refurbished hall including a cafe, an activity hub, meeting room and a spiritual care space.

It gives me pleasure to report to parliament that phase 2 of the reactivation of the Repat Health Precinct has involved consultation with consumers and persons with lived experience, most importantly. That was a matter of great interest not only to the committee but also to parliament. The design of the specialist rehabilitation services has involved significant consultation with people with lived experience of brain injury and spinal cord injury as well as peak advocacy organisations. Consultation workshops have fed into the design of the Veteran Wellbeing Centre. Construction for phase 2 is expected to commence in July 2020—of course, the reporting now to parliament follows that some months later—with project completion expected in December this year.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to this project and received assurances that the appropriate consultation in relation to this project had been undertaken. The committee is satisfied that the proposal has been subject to the appropriate agency consultation and meets the criteria for the examination of projects described in the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991. Based on the evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act, the committee reports to parliament that it recommends the scope of the public works that I earlier outlined to the house.

Motion carried.