Water quality and air conditioning issues to blame for K-Block delay

It has been revealed air conditioning noise is one of the issues holding up the long-awaited K-Block redevelopment — and it is not known when it will be fixed.

WATER quality issues and air conditioning noise are being blamed for the latest delay to the completion of the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block project.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney told reporters on Thursday that she received advice on Wednesday night from the Department of Health secretary that the final stages of practical completion have been delayed.

Ms Courtney said she was “disappointed” and “frustrated” by the latest development.

But she failed to put an expected new time frame on when it was expected the long-awaited building would be ready.

Earlier this week, the Government advertised for staff and support services to work in the new part of the hospital.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney outlines further issues with the new Royal Hobart Hospital K-Block which is yet to open. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Government has previously said practical completion was “imminent” but now say the building will be ready “as soon as possible”.

“I fully acknowledge the ongoing pressure across the Royal Hobart Hospital, and I am disappointed at this delay as I am sure the staff at the hospital are, and many others,” she said.

“We will not compromise on patient safety and comfort.”

Ms Courtney said the water quality and air conditioning issues were being worked through by experts.

She said about 600 tests of water quality have been undertaken in recent weeks.

Project director Ben Moloney said results had shown improvement in lead levels, while elevated levels of nickel in some samples were also being examined.

Ms Courtney said several areas of K-Block have recorded “higher than acceptable” noise levels from the air-conditioning and filtration units.

“Some have already been fixed and we are awaiting advice from the builder regarding which areas have yet to be rectified and the works or system adjustments necessary to rectify it,’’ she said.

“For major construction projects, air circulation systems are usually one of the final systems to be tested.”

RHH redevelopment project director Ben Moloney would not answer whether legal action would be taken over the delays. Picture: RICHARD JUPE.

Ms Courtney and Mr Moloney said the issues were being investigated on a “day-to-day” basis.

“In the final stages of any project, it’s always going to be very complex, we need to work through these issues and we are very hopeful we will be able to take practical completion very soon,’’ Ms Courtney said.

“With regards to this project, I also want to say how disappointed I am particularly for the staff and patients.

“I know how much everyone wants to get into this building. It is a fabulous building in terms of the care that will be able to be provided for patients but also the staff facilities are absolutely second to one.

“I want Tasmanians to be benefiting from this project as soon as possible, however I also want to make sure that it is fit for purpose.”

The Royal Hobart Hospital K-Block was originally meant to be complete in late 2018. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Neither Ms Courtney or Mr Moloney would be drawn on questions about whether legal action would be pursued over the repeated delay.

The $690 million project has been beset by delays.

Originally marked to open in late 2018, it was pushed back to August 2019, before a further delay to October, then Christmas.

Last week, Premier Peter Gutwein said the government was hopeful the new block would open by the end of the month, but would not say what was causing the delay.