NSW Government reveals land has not been purchased for Rouse Hill Hospital

A long-promised hospital in northwestern Sydney is at risk of not being built because the Minns government revealed it still has no idea how much it will cost to buy the land.

A long-promised hospital in northwestern Sydney is at risk of not being built because the Minns government revealed it still has no idea how much it will cost to buy the land.

The government has budgeted $700m to build Rouse Hill Hospital, including funds to purchase the site, however, a dispute over the land price could cause further cuts to the “full service” facility.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed the hospital will not have a full maternity unit and women will have to give birth elsewhere.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park told budget estimates on Thursday ownership of the site had been transferred to the government through compulsory acquisition but the landowner, GPT Group, rejected the $42.7m price offer – with the dispute now before the Land and Environment Court.

Mr Park vowed there would be no budget “blow out” to pay for the land, but NSW Health Infrastructure chief executive Emma Skulander later said extra funds had been allocated from within the budget to secure the deal.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park fielded questions about the development at budget estimates on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Ms Skulander said there was “no delay” to build the hospital, although the pay dispute could divert funds away from its delivery.

Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane slammed the government for mismanaging the project.

Artist impression, first look at the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital, the first major adult hospital built in Western Sydney in more than 40 years.

“Labor promised a $700m full service hospital, we already know you won’t be able to give birth there and now we’ve learnt they have not paid for the land,” Ms Sloane said.

“Rouse Hill locals must be wondering if they are ever going to see this hospital built.”

A dispute about whether to include a birthing unit is also sowing divisions between state and federal Labor.

Labor Greenway MP Michelle Rowland said she had already received more than 1000 signatures on her petition for the unit.

Mr Park said the government was “looking at” the issue but “no decision” had been made about “maternity and birthing services at the hospital”.

Originally published as NSW Government reveals land has not been purchased for Rouse Hill Hospital