“This exciting project will soon be cranking along,” that was the first reaction from Member for Dubbo Troy Grant after the Mudgee Hospital was listed for State Budget funding on June 20.
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“Before the last election I made a $60 million commitment to everyone in the Mid-Western region that I would deliver a new Hospital for Mudgee,” Mr Grant said.
“The $10.2 Million funding boost will bring the total project to $70.2 Million. $8 million will be spent on the project in this financial year alone,” Mr Grant said.
Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy welcomed the funding in the NSW budget saying it was “fantastic to get $70 million, which is $10 million more than I thought we’d get”.
“To do it properly, it’s probably a $90 million job, so when the hospital starts, we will endeavour to keep lobbying to get another $10 or $15 million, to make it a very good hospital, that fits our growing needs,” he said.
“It’s alright to have all the warm and fuzzy things around the town – slippery slides and sporting fields – but if you don’t have a decent hospital, you’re nowhere”.
Mayor Kennedy guessed Mudgee would have a new hospital in three to four years with “facilities that we need and deserve”.
“I’d say this time next year, the shovel will be in the ground, and hopefully the Minister for Health will come out here,” he continued.
Mayor Kennedy indicated “another open day will be held at Club Mudgee soon to get a few more ideas” for the project, “but I think most of that stuff [what will be included] is in the pipeline”.
“I had five or six hours in that hospital with my wife over the long weekend; it needs a lot of work. It’s serviced our community well for 70 or 80 years, but it’s time for it to go to God in the sky.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard has indicated he would be keen to visit Mudgee soon to talk to the community and get a shovel in the ground, according to Mr Grant.
The NSW Government also announced the appointment of the lead design team responsible for the redevelopment:
- Project Managers – TSA Management
- Architects – Silver Thomas Hanley
- Cost Planners – Concept 2 Reality Consulting.
TSA Management recently worked on the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment, Silver Thomas Hanley in the New England and Northwest Cancer Centre and Concept 2 Reality Consulting are currently working on the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Redevelopment.
Working with Health Infrastructure and the Western NSW Local Health District, the lead design team will work on defining the redevelopment scope alongside Local Health District management, staff, clinicians and community representatives.
Hospital staff reaction to the redevelopment funding:
Judy Ford, Health Service Manager, Mudgee Health Service
“I’m very proud of the staff at the Mudgee Health Service and the health services we provide to the local and wider community. This is our opportunity to modernise the facility and deliver even better care to our community. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in a project like this.”
Tania Sharp, Hotel Services Manager, Mudgee Health Service
“I have worked at Mudgee Health Service for 32 years, and I’m excited about what this project will do for our patients and staff.”
Josh McLean Acting Nurse Manager, Mudgee Health Service
“I was born here, and I have lived and worked in other areas, but it’s good to be back in Mudgee working at the Health Service when this huge redevelopment is happening – it’s going to be great for Mudgee.”
Steve Byrnes, Acting Maintenance Manager, Mudgee Health Service
“At Mudgee Health Service, as a team we utilise and value each department’s professional experience to collectively enable positive outcomes for our customers. The building of a new health facility is great news for Mudgee.”
