CONSTRUCTION is underway on the $105 million Moree Hospital Redevelopment, which will provide enhanced healthcare facilities for the local community.

NSW Government spokesperson for the Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose, joined Moree Hospital staff and community members to turn the first sod to mark the start of main works construction.

Mr Primrose joined Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse and general manager Natalia Cowley, deputy mayor Wayne Tighe, Hunter New England Rural and Regional Health Infrastructure acting executive director, Nicholas Rayner, Rural and Regional Health manager David Quirk and HNELHD acting executive director of infrastructure, planning, and sustainability Anna Styles-Tape, emcee, communications and engagement manager, Peta Cooper, acting Health Service Moree manager Maxine Ambrose, Moree District Hospital management and staff, Moree elders and the Hutchinson Builders team to turn the first sod.

The $105 million redevelopment will offer contemporary health facilities to support the best models of care to meet the health needs of the growing community now and well into the future.

Mr Quirk, the former Moree Hospital general manager, said the sod-turning ceremony was a pivotal point in the hospital redevelopment.

“We now embark on the construction of the new acute services building for the staff and community of Moree,” Mr Quirk said.

“In my role at Moree Hospital and with the local health district, I have been involved in the redevelopment snice the first government announcement several years ago and thank the project team for their commitment through the planning and design phase.

“I also want to particularly thank the staff of Moree Hospital for their input to the project, by attending meetings and user-group sessions on top of their everyday workload.

“As a community member, I’m excited to see how the new healthcare facility will add value to our existing hospital services,” Mr Quirk said.

The Moree District Hospital redevelopment will deliver a new purpose-built acute services building on the existing hospital campus to house the emergency department, operating theatres, medical imaging, birthing and inpatient unit, pathology, and a new main entry.

Staff, the community and stakeholders have helped shaped the planning and design of $105 million redeveloped hospital.

Hutchinson Builders has been engaged to deliver the project, which will be supported by up to 90 sub-contractors at the peak of construction.

NSW Government spokesperson for the Northern Tablelands, Peter Primrose, said it was a privilege to turn the first sod with Moree health staff and community members on such an important health project for the region.

“The upgraded health facilities and modern clinical services will provide patients, families, carers, and staff with a modern hospital environment, designed to improve health outcomes for the communities throughout the region,” Mr Primrose said.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park is pleased to see construction underway.

“The new acute services building will deliver enhanced facilities for staff, patients and visitors,” Mr Park said.

“The redevelopment will provide a significant boost to the local economy during construction supporting many direct jobs, as well as the potential for supporting indirect jobs.

“The feedback from staff, community and stakeholders throughout the planning and design has ensured the new hospital building creates a welcoming and supportive environment that reflects the heritage and culture of the region.

“The sod-turning ceremony marks the start of main works construction of the $105 million Moree Hospital redevelopment project,” he said.

“It will provide enhanced healthcare facilities on the hospital campus for patients, staff and the local community.

“This redevelopment will deliver contemporary facilities that will support best-practice models of care, enabling health staff to meet the health needs of the community now and into the future.

“The redevelopment will provide patients, families, carers and staff with modern, welcoming health facilities.

“We are grateful for the valuable time and input from staff, the community and other stake-holders who have helped shape the redevelopment, planning and design. Their feedback has ensured the new hospital building creates a welcoming and supportive environment that reflects the heritage and culture of the region,” Mr Park said.

Mr Quirk said the first stage of the redevelopment will start tomorrow, Thursday, June 12.

“Today, we also say goodbye to the Mahaffey building, which will be demolished to make way for the new acute services building,” Mr Quirk said.

“The Mahaffey family had a long connection with the hospital, dating back to the early 1890s, initially through nursing staff and subsequently through the dependency resource unit.

“The building has had several purposes over its life and was most recently used to house some of our Moree District Hospital managers and clinical education staff,” he said.

Hunter New England Rural and Regional Health Infrastructure acting executive director, Nicholas Rayner, said he was honoured to be a part of the sod-turning ceremony.

“I previously worked on the project for about 12 months as the senior project director. In that time last year I got to see the first-hand dedication and passion from staff building improved healthcare facilities across Moree and delivering services,” Mr Raynor said.

“On behalf of the project team I want reiterate thanks about your knowledge, time and dedication and commitment in engaging with us in terms of planning, designing and now delivering this project.

“There’s more than bricks and mortar in this project, and it’s design is created from feedback from all of you, and your fellow community members.”

Local trades, businesses and suppliers were recently invited to meet the builder at events held in Moree to learn more about opportunities to be involved construction for the project.

Local trades and subcontractors are encouraged to register their interest by emailing Alec Noble at: [email protected].

During the construction phase, vehicle access for the hospital is provided via a two-way driveway from Victoria Terrace. Access for community health and mental health is via Alice Street.

Signage is in place to assist with the modified traffic and pedestrian movements.

Construction on the Moree Hospital Redevelopment is scheduled for completion in 2027. All hospital services will continue to operate during construction.

“This will be followed by a comprehensive operational commissioning process to support staff working in their new purpose-built facility,” Mr Park said.

For more information about the Moree Hospital redevelopment visit: $105 million Moree Hospital Redevelopment.