- $9.735 million investment to expedite demolition of former Port Hedland hospital
- Demolition works likely to begin early this month
- Funding provided by the Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions program
The Liberal National Government has made a special allocation of $9.735 million in funding to be made immediately available for the demolition of the former Port Hedland hospital and remediation of the site.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Terry Redman said the funding was prioritised following a fire at the disused site in September, which destroyed a section of the building. The ageing hospital, which had been vacant since 2010, contained asbestos and measures have been in place to mitigate any risk to public health.
"The State Government considered the issue a matter of urgency and allocated the funding of $9.735 million because we recognise the need to get the area cleaned up as quickly as possible after the fire," Mr Redman said.
"LandCorp has been managing the site and has worked swiftly to respond to the issue, first engaging environmental consultants and now the services of a demolition contractor."
Demolition on the fire-damaged section is likely to start in early November and the clean-up of the area is expected to take about two months. Once this requirement is met, demolition and remediation of the entire site would then proceed.
The Minister said the Royalties for Regions funding would cover the full demolition and disposal of the buildings and hazardous material followed by soil testing of the cleared site, remediation and improvement works.
The old hospital is located in a prominent location on Sutherland Street in Port Hedland and, when cleared, will have even greater development potential.
Mr Redman said the site overlooked the planned $152 million Spoilbank Marina, which the State Government in October confirmed had been given the funding 'green light' to kickstart the development of the community waterfront asset.
Fact File
- The old Port Hedland hospital closed its doors in 2010 and was replaced with the new Hedland Health Campus
- The former hospital site spans 3.5ha and overlooks the planned Spoilbank Marina
Minister's office - 6552 6700
