Eurobodalla Regional Hospital construction cost increases $70m

The construction price tag for a NSW south coast hospital development has increased a staggering $70m, however, the state government has urged it was not a cost blowout.

Plans for the $330m Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

A major hospital development on the NSW south coast has seen it’s construction cost increase by a staggering $70m – however, the state government stressed it was not a cost blowout.

The Eurobodalla Regional Hospital – set to be constructed in Moruya – will now have a total construction cost of $330m, with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park explaining the cost increase was needed to meet construction timelines.

Documents tendered to the hospital’s construction note the facility is set to include an emergency department, an eight bed intensive care and close observation unit, increased capacity for chemotherapy and renal dialysis, surgical and operating theatres, expanded medical imaging department, including MRI, pediatric and maternity services, mental health beds and enhanced education and training, including a simulation lab.

The announcement $70m price increase announcement came from Mr Park during a speech this week on the upcoming NSW Budget, where he revealed other hospital developments around the state were also seeing cost increases.

“Today we will be announcing that as a part of the budget, $3.4bn in hospital upgrades will take place right across NSW,” he said.

NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park.

Mr Park said the price increases needed to occur as the timelines left by the former state government were not realistic.

He also said the amount of money set aside by the previous government was “not going to be enough”.

Artist impression of the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

“I made a strategic decision to go in as hard as I could to lobby for additional capital to ensure that the community got the hospital they were promised,” he said.

However, former Bega MP and current Liberal Candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance said it was in fact a cost blowout.

“Its price tag is now $330m and I bet the final price tag is even higher,” he said.

While serving as the Bega MP – a position now held by Dr Michael Holland – Mr Constance helped plan the construction of the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, working with industry professionals to ensure the right services were added to the facility.

Former Bega MP and current Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance.

However, years have passed since Mr Constance held the position and construction has still not began on the level four facility.

“There has been no clarity on whether an actual construction contract has been signed,” he said.

“And there has been no guarantee that the intensive care unit will be operating on day one, hence making it a level three at the opening date.”

The Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be constructed in Moruya.

The price increase also arises just weeks after an 18,000 signed petition was presented to NSW Opposition Leader, Mark Speakman, urging current plans to close the Batemans Bay Hospital upon the opening of the new Moruya facility did not go ahead, as it would leave Batemans Bay as the largest regional centre without an emergency department.

Dr Holland previously spoke on the matter, noting if the Batemans Bay emergency department remained open, the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital would need to have major areas, like the intensive care unit, slashed completely.

Construction is still yet to begin on the hospital, however the opening date remains as sometime in 2026.

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Originally published as Eurobodalla Regional Hospital construction cost increases $70m