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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-04-03 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: New Women's and Children's Hospital Early Works Package—Stage 2

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (11:25): I move:

That the 122nd report of the committee, entitled New Women's and Children's Hospital Early Works Package—Stage 2, be noted.

It is well publicised that in September 2022 the state government announced that the New Women's and Children's Hospital would be built at the former South Australia Police Thebarton Barracks site. The new hospital facility will comprise 414 beds, representing 56 more overnight beds than the current Women's and Children's Hospital, and will also have the capacity for a 20-bed expansion. The hospital joins a growing medical precinct located in close proximity to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide BioMed City.

The proposed works from the Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) are for a second package of early works in preparation for construction of the hospital proper. The initial $306 million early works package was considered by the committee in December 2023, with variations to the package sought in September of last year. This stage 2 early works package is anticipated to cost an additional $427 million, which is funded as part of the $3.2 billion approved budget for the broader hospital project.

Significant activity at the new hospital site is underway, with fencing installed, bulk earthworks commenced and the establishment of the piling platform underway. The first stage of works has so far completed demolition of the police barracks, widening of the Bonython trail, establishment of the Gaol/Bonython link road, installation of Gaol Road stormwater outfall, and ongoing works on the car park, central energy plant and Lendlease site compound.

With the significant milestone of SAPOL formally handing over ownership of the remaining Thebarton Barracks site last September, the construction team is now preparing the main site for the hospital building. Stage 2 will ensure continuity of works associated with the car park, central energy plant and other enabling work activities in preparation for the main hospital works and are critical in enabling commencement of construction and providing the ability to continue market engagement to deliver the project. The further scope of works include:

installation of electrical, hydraulic and communication services for the car park;

further works on the central energy plant, including installation of services, piles and other supporting works;

upgrades to Port Road, including road widening and the construction of additional inbound and outbound lanes from the city;

procurement of tower cranes to support construction of the car park, central energy plant and main hospital;

construction and installation of substructure and in-ground services;

supply and installation of piles, pile caps, tower crane base piles and bridge abutments to facilitate construction;

enabling works with authority services; and

precinct services installation, including electrical, hydraulic and communication.

The expanded geographic footprint of the stage 2 works will also require the removal of vegetation, including a mix of significant, regulated and protected smaller trees, as well as shrubs and exotic species. Stage 2 planning consent provides statutory approval for removal and pruning where required. A land division is being prepared to create a certificate of title for the site.

SA Health has followed a competitive market approach to project procurement for both design and construction, awarding Lendlease the early contractor involvement contract, which has subsequently been amended to reflect the delivery of early works to date. The existing design and engineering professional service contractors will continue with all other works and be given opportunity to participate in the new procurement approach.

Project management will follow best practice guidelines as advocated by the state government and construction industry authorities. The new hospital's project team has developed a tailored risk and issue management plan that has been informed by project staff expertise and from lessons learned from other major infrastructure projects across Australia. Project management will identify and manage risk as well as ensure compliance with the legislative requirements of the development act.

SA Health has incorporated sustainability principles into the scope of the project, understanding that facilities with good environmental qualities are essential to achieving value-for-money solutions, reducing energy and water consumption, reducing the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources, and minimising recurrent project costs. The project services consultants are leading the process, and the department states that the design of the new facility will incorporate key design principles to reduce energy and water use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. SA Health states that a strategic work group is tasked with ensuring that all sustainable considerations are fully integrated into all key project decisions.

The Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects determined there are two Aboriginal cultural sites in proximity to the proposed works. Authorisation has been sought and received from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and a cultural heritage management plan will be utilised and negotiated with the traditional owners. SA Health states that native title has been extinguished over the whole area of the site.

The car park and central energy plant will fall within the Adelaide Park Lands and City Layout as listed on the National Heritage List. An assessment has been undertaken for the significance of the impact of the new hospital on the national listed Parklands and the commonwealth minister's delegate has determined that the project is free to proceed. Due to the location and nature of the site, there is potential for the works to disturb heritage artefacts or evidence of past occupation and use of the site. As a result, the project has engaged a qualified archaeologist to provide advice and manage any discoveries during construction.

SA Health is in consultation with the Women's and Children's Hospital clinicians, staff, consumers and stakeholders to finalise the new hospital's functional design. The department will remain in ongoing consultation with various stakeholder groups during the design and construction process, including precinct partners, public realm interfaces, traditional owners, Planning and Land Use Services, service authorities and government executive representatives.

The committee examined written and oral evidence in relation to the new Women's and Children's Hospital early works package—stage 2. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Jane Jennings, Chief Operating Officer, Women's and Children's Health Network; Judith Formston, Deputy Chief Executive and Interim Project Director, Department for Health and Wellbeing; and Mark Filipowicz, Deputy Project Director, Department for Health and Wellbeing. I thank the witnesses for their time.

Based upon the evidence considered and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Motion carried.

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