CBD WEST > #U/C: New Royal Adelaide Hospital / PRO: Womans & Chilidrens Hospital

[crawf]

$1.5bn plan to build a new RAH
MICHAEL OWEN, POLITICAL REPORTER

May 24, 2007 02:15am
Article from: The Advertiser

A $1.5 BILLION plan to relocate the Royal Adelaide Hospital complex to the Adelaide railyards area is being considered by the State Government.

The Advertiser understands the plan involves building a new hospital complex west of the Morphett St Bridge, between the Old Adelaide Gaol and the Convention Centre.

Senior health sources have told The Advertiser they understand the plan may be a key part of the State Budget, to be handed down by Treasurer Kevin Foley on June 7.

Sources also said the proposal had been before State Cabinet. "We're told it has been to Cabinet and signed off on but none of us knows the details," one source said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Foley said last night: "Details of the Budget will be revealed on June 7, when the Budget is handed down."

The relocation is expected to include the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and Adelaide University Medical School.

Given the high cost of such a huge undertaking, options to pay for it will be a key part of Budget submissions.

Relocating the hospital complex likely would involve a public-private partnership, which uses private sector investment.

This is the model the Government is using for its $216 million so-called "super schools" proposal and $517 million program to build four prison facilities in the state.

The RAH-complex relocation likely would involve commercial development, such as cafes and shops, to lure private investors.

Much of the planning for the proposed relocation is understood to have been driven by Health Department statewide services strategy executive director, David Panter.

Dr Panter is a former chief executive of the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.

Yesterday, he referred all questions about the proposal to the Health Department's media unit.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister John Hill, who was asked in writing last night by The Advertiser if the minister "could confirm or deny" such a proposal was being considered, declined to comment.

She referred The Advertiser back to the comment from Mr Foley's office that details of the Budget will be revealed on June 7.

Momentum has been growing for the railyards site to be used for a major development.

Influential property industry leader Don Crouch, of Knight Frank, last November said the site was a vast area of land with access to a rundown area of the River Torrens.

"No other capital city in Australia has such a large area of land so close to the city that has not been developed," he said.

Adelaide Convention Centre chief executive Alec Gilbert proposed the construction of a building next to the Morphett St bridge. A consortium also proposed a $200 million hotel, casino and apartment complex.

If the latest proposal involving the RAH is given the green light by Cabinet, it is not known what would happen to the present hospital site but it could be reclaimed as parklands.

That would likely be a popular political move given the controversy over the Victoria Park upgrade.

The relocation also would tie in with the tramline extension, from Victoria Square to the city's West End.

The Government consistently has said health is one of its key spending priorities.

Mr Foley in March said that if possible, he would like to "skew the Budget into spending more on capital", or infrastructure, rather than funding services and programs.

Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith yesterday said the public needed to know the details of any plans. "If they are planning to do what I think they are, which is build right across the train line to connect up with the Torrens, I'm not sure if a hospital or medical complex is the right development for the site," he said.

"It is planning in secret instead of by consultation. If the cost is $1.5 billion, there is no doubt this will be the centrepiece of the State Budget. I just hope it is not an attempt by Mike Rann to build a Taj Mahal as a monument to himself under the guise of investing in health."


Wow, I thought this would never happen (especially after the State Government spent money on adding a new wing). But I hope they do, the RAH is such a disgrace and very outdated, plus it will fill that ugly eyesore on North Terrace aswell as improving the Western North Terrace streetscape.

As for the RAH site, I think it would be a perfect place for a precinct filled with student apartments, foreign university campus, cafes, restaurants, shops, bars, offices etc... or it could be become apart of the Botanic Gardens (nearly doubling the size of the existing one). Though this is going to one massive project (RAH is a huge hospital) plus its going to bring much bulk into that part of the CBD

[splashmo]

It's a great idea - and that's all it is at the moment, an idea, until the budget is handed down.

I just look at all that land on North Terrace near the uni where people would actually want to live, stay and work, all that potential.

[AdelaideSkytraveller]

Originally Posted by splashmo

It's a great idea - and that's all it is at the moment, an idea, until the budget is handed down.

I just look at all that land on North Terrace near the uni where people would actually want to live, stay and work, all that potential.

Actually i thought they said the land on North Terrace near the uni would be
returned to parklands and with the parklands group against development not much potential there at all!!!

To all those whingers that complained about 31 million being spent on the tram extension what about wasting 1.5 billion on relocating something that you already have 1km down the street.

I am pro development and believe the area mentioned above the railyards
needs to be developed and that badly i believe the plan for the RAH relocation is not the best suited development for the site. It will certainly not
be a spectacular view from the torrens if this goes ahead.

What would be better is a number of hotels, apartments and a sports complex
similar to Telstra Dome or Suncorp Stadium if we are serious in bidding for the Soccer World Cup...

Lastely i believe 500 million spent on upgrading the current RAH, 500 million
for upgrading road infrastructure and 500 million to electrify the train network
would be a better investment for the future than a brand new RAH built in the
wrong position.

[AtD]

I agree with AdelaideSkyTraveller's sentiments, and I'd prefer if they'd simply upgrade the existing site, even if that means demolishing and starting over.

[Pistol78]

I would imagine that this vast amount of money would primarily be spent on construction over the railways. The government would be crazy to build over the railway and only use it for a hospital. They must have a masterplan. Why not utilise this space if they are spending this sort of money and make it into a new 'suburb'. Having a hospital precinct, apartment buildings etc. would also be more attractive to private consortiums investing money in it if the government wants ppp's to work.

[Cruise]

I also agree with adelaideskytraveller,
I dont believe a hospital is the right devolpmetnt fo this site, could you imagine the postcard view from across the torrens?

Rail Station, Hyatt, convention centre and hospital
ummmmmmmmmmm no

[how_good_is_he]

I suspect the private secor [think UrbanConstruct] could fund it all via development of apartments/hotels/restaurants/student accom. along the riverbank and on the old RAH site.

Think of a new RAH at no cost to govt [and built along North Tce side] in exchange for the land facing the riverbank & old RAH site.

[crawf]

While I agree the railway yards should be reserved for a tourism/ entertainment development. But the fact is health is more important than tourism and the RAH would have to be Australia's worst major hospital, its a asbestos ridden depressing hole and there really is no other large good location for the RAH.

While redeveloping the whole hospital is one option, but it would probably cost allot more, take more time and could cause major disruption to the hospital.

I visited the RAH quite a bit last year and I couldn't believe how dated the buildings and services are, it really is a huge disgrace. Plus the lifts breaking down all the time is a major safety issue.

I dont think there is any room in the CBD for a large hospital (except the railway yards or parklands) but maybe these locations could be looked at
- Around the Former North Adelaide Station (border between the railway lines and park terrace though its on parklands)
- Glenside Hospital Site
- Cheltenham Racecourse Site
- Department of Agriculture, Northgate
- Yatala Prison Site
- Former Islingtion Railway Yards

But really the best locations are the current site or the railway yards, I don't know any where in the CBD that there would be enough room for the RAH, maybe the new RAH could be split up around Inner Adelaide?

[crawf]

When I think about it, the railway yards is a massive site so maybe the State Government could build the hospital at the far western end of the site (right near the old gaol) and have a entertainment/tourism precinct on the eastern end with apartments and offices - that could work.

[AdelaideSkytraveller]

Originally Posted by Crawf

When I think about it, the railway yards is a massive site so maybe the State Government could build the hospital at the far western end of the site (right near the old gaol) and have a entertainment/tourism precinct on the eastern end with apartments and offices - that could work.

From the plan seen in the Advertiser this may be partly right it look as though
it will be built not over the rail lines but rather replace the maintenance facility which may be moved back to islington or somewhere. From the plan it would make a bit more sense to leave some of the eastern part or the planned area free...

Anyway Torrens riverfront and over the rail lines will remain... possibly for
future development?

[Howie]

The plan on the advertiser is wrong. They've got it set back further from the morphett street bridge, and they've also haven't included key buildings from the original RAH that are to be moved like the medschool. Also I've heard that they've been misquoting people from the hospital, most have spoken in favour of the proposal to shift the site, but they have been published as saying as "they're not sure about the moving the site". Looks like the Advertiser is running an agenda again.

[Pistol78]

From the City Messenger today:

A new Royal Adelaide Hospital should be built within the city's square mile, not at the North Tce railway yards, Lord Mayor Michael Harbison says.
Mr Harbison said a new hospital within the square mile would trigger further development, and suggested Australia Post's Gouger St depot site as a possible location.
"We'd welcome the contruction of a new RAH but we'd prefer to see it south of North Tce," Mr Harbison told the City Messenger this week.
"Australia Post's Gouger St site could be one possible location as they are looking to move."
However, an Australian Post spokeswoman was this week not aware of any plans to leave Gouger St, which is about a third the size of the RAH site.
Mr Harbison said a hospital inside the city's boundaries would stimulate local trade and rejuvenate the area.
Last week the State Government would not confirm or deny it planned to close the RAH and build a new hospital on the railway yards west of the Morphett St Bridge at a cost of $1.5 billion.
An announcement is tipped to be the centrepiece of next week's State Budget.
Mr Harbison was keen to be involved in selecting a site.
He said if a new hospital was built on the railway yard, the RAH site should be returned to Parklands.
Treasurer Kevin Foley and Health Minister John Hill this week refused to comment on the speculation ahead of the State Budget, which will be handed down on Thursday, June 7.

Harbo really does not have any idea does he? He doesn't even know what is going on in his council area!

[talrok]

RAH site returned to Parklands he says ... what the f...ck is this affinity the whole state has with f...king PARKLANDS .. we already have enough parklands/squares .. every corner of the CBD and then some!!! For farks sake, I am starting to think when people joke Adelaide is a small country town they are dead right .. if you want the states population to grow and the economy to prosper then green grass and parklands aint the solution!!! How bout accomodation, better education/schools/uni, entertainment, sporting precinct .. etc. etc. not friggin brown, dry, arid parklands!!!
If I hear the word 'more parklands' one more time I will spew ..

[Giorgio]

I agree that (although this may sound stupid) this isnt the best project to utilise this prime location.

When I first heard of the plans I was really hoping there was no truth to it because I sincerly believe that this site can be utilised far better as an entertainment park or something of that nature.

Hospitals can be built in many places. I'm sure there is room elsewhere in the city to build a new RAH if need be. Why do we need to use the site with the most potential in our CBD?

[splashmo]

I also heard on the news that schools will have to cut $50,000 from their budgets thanks to the state government. Surely there are other priorities or this type of project can be completed without inflicting harm on our other systems which are in need of such funding.

[Brando]

Originally Posted by talrok

RAH site returned to Parklands he says ... what the f...ck is this affinity the whole state has with f...king PARKLANDS .. we already have enough parklands/squares

Agree 100%.

[Cyber_256]

Originally Posted by splashmo

I also heard on the news that schools will have to cut $50,000 from their budgets thanks to the state government. Surely there are other priorities or this type of project can be completed without inflicting harm on our other systems which are in need of such funding.

If this is true, alot of schools will be forced to sack alot of staff and cut alot of resources. I am disappointed to see the government claim this is good for education when it is not at all, its bringing schools further and further behind in maintenance and technological advancements.

[UrbanSG]

Well this one is a goer at $1.7 billion in today's Advertiser, from the AdelaideNow site.

Revealed - our 'green' RAH
GREG KELTON, MICHAEL OWEN
June 06, 2007 02:15am

A $1.7 BILLION "green" hospital will be the centrepiece of what is expected to be a huge increase in health spending in tomorrow's state Budget.
The hospital plan, the state's worst-kept Budget secret, will replace the ageing Royal Adelaide Hospital on an as yet unnamed site, expected to be near the old Adelaide Gaol and railway yards.
Details of the Budget move were revealed by The Advertiser in an exclusive report on May 24.
Doctors said at the time they had been aware of the proposal for about 12 months.
This is the first confirmation by the Rann Government of the major infrastructure plan.
Until now, senior members of Cabinet, including Premier Mike Rann and Treasurer Kevin Foley, have refused to comment on the hospital proposal.
The final plans will be unveiled today in a key pre-Budget announcement.
Construction is expected to take up to eight years and is expected to involve such commercial development as cafes and shops. A government spokeswoman was reluctant to give any further details.
There will be no disruption to the operation of the RAH while the new hospital is being built.
It would have cost $1.4 billion to rebuild the RAH on its present site, involving "years of disruption" to patients and staff.
"The hospital will be Australia's most advanced and greenest hospital facility," the spokeswoman said.
"It will be built to the highest standards in environmental and energy efficiency."
The new hospital will use 45 per cent less energy and 33 per cent less water than the RAH.
Up to 90 per cent of the waste produced from construction of the new hospital will be recycled.
The hospital will draw at least 15 per cent of its energy from renewable resources incorporating co-generation (energy produced through steam), as well as solar-heated hot water and wind power.
It will produce half the amount of greenhouse gases currently emitted by the RAH, resulting in a reduction of 24,000 tonnes annually.
The Opposition already has questioned the hospital plan, with health spokeswoman Vickie Chapman saying the Government had already spent $102 million on upgrades to the RAH.
Leading doctors have supported plans for relocating the RAH, with Australian Medical Association state president Peter Ford saying doctors were "generally supportive" of the concept.
"It has been very disappointing to see the RAH run down in the way that it has, technologically and service-wise," Dr Ford said yesterday.

[AdelaideSkytraveller]

Surprising 1.5 billion 2 weeks ago already 1.7 billion now by the time they build
it it will be closer to 3-5 billion hahahaha. And what is wrong with rebuilding
the RAH at its current site estimated at 1.4 billion...

As long as they dont build it at the railyards its ok, that site should be
set aside for significant hotels and entertainment precincts that will
look great from colonel lights look out not some low rise hospital....

[UrbanSG]

The latest! I am confused as hell. Three levels below ground and three above ground over railway lines?????

'Our Marj' hospital
GREG KELTON, MICHAEL OWEN
June 06, 2007 01:00pm

THE $1.7 BILLION hospital to replace the ageing Royal Adelaide Hospital will be named the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital after the retiring governor.

The 800-bed hospital, the state's worst-kept Budget secret, will be built on the old rail yard next to the Adelaide Railway Station and open in 2016.

Premier Mike Rann, Depuity Premier Kevin Foley and Health Minister John Hill today officially unveiled the landmark development.

They also launched a blueprint for changing the State's health system and other hospitals with a $250m spending program over the next decade.

The new $1.7 billion hospital, revealed by The Advertiser in an exclusive report on May 24, will be the most advanced in Australia on an 11ha site.

Three levels will be built underground, three above ground and include a land bridge providing access to the River Torrens.

Mr Rann said today: "It will become a medical hub for this state, providing the best care and treatment for all South Australians.''

"And fittingly we will name it in honour of South Australia's retiring Governor, our beloved Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, whose warmth, caring and contribution for medical research funding for South Australians has earned her a place in all our hearts."

Mr Rann said the hospital would be one of the greenest developments in the nation, with the strongest environmental codes and include green open spaces and increase access to the River Torrens.

"This Government had a clear choice - to invest $1.7 billion on a brand new hospital or spend $1.4 billion on refiting the RAH building,' ' he said.

"Rebuilding the RAH would have taken a lot longer than building a new hospital - and would have been incredibly disruptive for delivery of health services in the State's major hospital.'

Health Minister Hill said the development would trigger a statewide shake-up of the health system with a massive new investment from the State Giovernment.

SA's Health Care Plan would also include:

* Major upgrades to hospitals.

*Changes in the delivery of services in hospitals.

*Better co-ordination of hospital services.

*Dedicated elective surgery hospitals for more surgery and reduced risk of cancellation.

*Reduced pressure on emergency departments.

*Setting up a medical workforce to take SA into the future.

*Planning for up to 10 GP Plus Health Care Centres across Adelaide and two in country SA to keep people healthy and out of hospitals.

Opposition health spokeswoman Vickie Chapman said it was "a backyard way of providing for commercial development in the Parklands".

"They're glossing it up, dressing it up as a health facility when in fact it's a major commercial development," she said.

"It flies in the face of all health and state planning reports, including the Generational Review, the state infrastructure plan and the state strategic plan.

"None of these plans recommend a centralised health service."