Preparations are underway for the new $534 Tweed Valley Hospital, with the announcement of the preliminary works tender for the hospital site.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said this was an important step in delivering the Tweed Valley Hospital at 771 Cudgen Road, opposite Kingscliff TAFE, on schedule.

“This brand new public hospital is needed as soon as possible in order to meet the increasing healthcare needs of the Tweed, Murwillumbah and Byron communities,” Mr Provest said.

“Once ownership of the site is transferred, Health Infrastructure will undertake a number of immediate tasks to prepare the site.

The scope of preliminary works includes stormwater management and removal of noxious weeds to protect the environmental area that will be preserved along the northern boundary of the project site.

Dr Damian Licari, Principal Consultant Environment at Greencap, the independent ecological consultants for the project, said preliminary works will reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants that currently wash into the environmental area.

“That will help improve the water quality for this important wildlife habitat,” said Dr Licari.

The preliminary works will also include site establishment, removal of existing buildings and remediation of asbestos-contaminated land.  Detailed on-site investigations, including geotechnical drilling to inform the detailed design of site infrastructure.

External roadworks, including intersection upgrades, are also being planned and will be undertaken in conjunction with Tweed Shire Council and Roads and Maritime Services to address a number of concerns raised by the community such as the capacity of the Tweed Coast Road / Cudgen Road intersection and the safety of the Cudgen Road / Turnock Street roundabout.

Health Infrastructure is tendering the preliminary works contract to a panel of experienced contractors.  Key selection criteria will include the approach to promoting local industry participation, Aboriginal participation and apprenticeships.

The new major regional referral hospital is part of the NSW Government’s $582 million investment in Health in the region, which includes the new Tweed Valley Hospital as well as interim upgrades to the existing Tweed Hospital to help meet community needs until services transfer to the new hospital.

For further information, please visit the project website at www.tweedvalleyhospital.health.nsw.gov.au