CFMEU bring work to a halt at controversial Tweed Valley hospital site

Work has been suddenly halted at the controversial Tweed Valley Hospital site. But this time it’s got nothing to do with protesters against the project

WORK has been brought to a halt at the Tweed Valley Hospital site by one of Australia’s biggest unions following a number of safety issues which were so bad workers “could have been electrocuted”.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) told the Tweed Daily News it was tipped off about safety issues and attended the site about 7.30am this morning.

CFMEU State Organiser Dean Riley said electrical generators and wiring being used to power toilet blocks, sheds and an office on the site were in breach of Australian safety regulations.

He said workers immediately put a stop to the work and hired new generators and an electrician to fix the problem.

Work currently remains stopped at the Cudgen site.

Machinery on the Tweed hospital site.

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Mr Riley said there were also issues with outdated equipment and site access, with workers having to walk around live trucks to access the site.

“It’s very concerning, this is a State Government job with taxpayer dollars and they need to adhere to compliance and the building code which is to maintain safety and keep workers safe,” Mr Riley said.

“Obviously this is a breach in code but it also raises concerns that at the very start of one of the biggest construction projects in NSW, how is this going to run into the future if this is what’s happening now?

“It’s very early days and if they can’t even get the fundamentals right, how will they do this going into the future?”

Tweed District Mayor Katie Milne at a recent protest against the hospital. Photo: Scott Powick

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Mr Riley said while the contractor performing early works had breached the rules, he did not expect the same from major construction company Lendlease, who have the main construction contract for the site.

“This should raise alarm bells for locals, this is State Government work ... they need to be professional, you don’t want the Tweed Valley Hospital being built by a bunch of muppets.

“Lendlease who have the major contract are a whole different story, but this just isn’t good enough.

“We’ll be doing a follow-up and be back on site tomorrow and see whether the work has progressed and whether they’ve fixed the issue.”

Mr Riley said the CFMEU left the site around 12.30pm and work would remain stopped until the issues had been fixed.

The construction company behind the early works has been contacted for comment.