Foundations laid on Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment

IN just over two weeks, the first of two 60m tower cranes will move into the gaping hole at the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment site.

The beginning of major building works at the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

IN just over two weeks, the first of two 60m tower cranes will move into the gaping hole at the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment site.

The demolition of B-Block was completed in April with about 15,000 tonnes of rubble removed from the site to make way for the new inpatient precinct to be known as K Block.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson, left, tours the RHH works. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Health Minister Michael Ferguson led a tour of the site on Wednesday as foundation works for the $689 million project began.

“Since April this year, more than $110 million worth of tenders have been awarded for redevelopment works,” he said.

“Foundations are now being laid in the centre of the site that marks the base of the 12 lift wells, with more concrete pours and installation of precast concrete elements continuing.”

Completion of the redevelopment is slated for mid-2019.

Last August, Mr Ferguson said the managing contractor, John Holland Fairbrother Joint Venture, would face penalties of $17,000 a day if the project was not completed by the “practical completion date” of late December 2018.

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Penalties will increase to $35,000 a day after a further 30 days.

Mr Ferguson said the Government had already taken some legal advice and would continue to do so on the matter.

“As we come to the end of the project in 2019, we will be very careful to ensure the taxpayers’ interests are appropriately cared for,” he said.

The Tasmanian patient health group lead by advocate Jim Franke will hold a rally on parliament lawns on Thursday in response to what Mr Franke said was a health system in crisis.