Cancer Council SA says it needs State Government support to press ahead with plans for a $30 million, six-storey patient accommodation building in Eastwood
Regional cancer patients might be the biggest losers if Cancer Council SA is forced to abandon plans for a $30 million, six-storey accommodation building.
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Cancer Council SA may scrap plans for a $30 million, six-storey accommodation building for thousands of regional patients undergoing treatment, unless it can secure a State Government lifeline.
The council’s plans for the 120-room supported accommodation facility at its existing office at 202 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood, are currently with the State Commission Assessment Panel.
However, the council’s chief executive, Lincoln Size, said the application was lodged in March before the economic impact of COVID-19 became apparent.
The council had proposed selling two other accommodation buildings – at Dequetteville Tce, Kent Town, and 204 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood – to fund the development of the new facility.
But an uncertain real estate market amid the coronavirus pandemic meant the future of the new development was now under a cloud.
“Without government assistance, the current development appears to be beyond our financial capacity,” Mr Size said.
“We will be speaking to government to see what support they might be able to provide to progress plans to build this exciting new facility.
“Unless there is a change in the current financial landscape, there is a strong likelihood that this project will not go ahead.”
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The construction of the new building was expected to create up to 83 full-time jobs.
Cancer Council SA provided more than 32,800 nights of accommodation to regional South Australians travelling to Adelaide for cancer treatment in 2019.
A statement from State Treasurer Rob Lucas’s office said the government had not yet received a formal funding request from Cancer Council SA.
It did not say it the government would consider any financial support.