A LANDMARK DAY FOR HEALTHCARE IN THE CLARENCE VALLEY

A major new chapter for healthcare in the Clarence Valley has begun, with main construction officially getting underway on the $283.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital.

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said today’s sod-turn was a significant milestone and a day for the entire Clarence Valley community to celebrate.

“This is a great day for Grafton and communities right across the Clarence Valley,” Mr Williamson said.

“For decades, our community has wanted to see Grafton Base Hospital receive the investment it needs to provide modern healthcare facilities for our growing region. Today we can finally see that investment becoming a reality.

“This $283.8 million redevelopment is the largest public health investment ever made in the Clarence Valley and will deliver a hospital designed to meet the needs of our community now and well into the future.”

The redevelopment was originally committed to by the former NSW Liberal-Nationals Government, with the $263.8 million project included in the 2022-23 NSW Budget. The project has since been expanded to $283.8 million following a further $20 million investment for maternity services.

Mr Williamson said he was pleased the current NSW Government had continued to honour the original commitment and bring the project through to construction.

“I want to acknowledge the former Liberal-Nationals Government for making the original commitment to this redevelopment, and I’m pleased the current Government has continued to fulfil that commitment,” he said.

“This is not about politics today. This is about delivering for the people of the Clarence Valley and making sure our community has the health facilities it deserves.

“I have been determined to see this project continue to move forward, and today’s sod turn is a very welcome milestone.”

The redevelopment will deliver a new multi-storey acute services building incorporating an expanded Emergency Department, Emergency Short Stay Unit, Medical Imaging and MRI, inpatient services and maternity services. The hospital’s operating theatre capacity will also be expanded from three theatres to five, providing two additional theatres to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Clarence Valley.

Mr Williamson said the additional $20 million for maternity was particularly welcome.

“I have been very clear that maternity needs to be an important part of this redevelopment, so it is fantastic to see an additional $20 million being invested to deliver a purpose-built maternity unit with dedicated birthing rooms and improved inpatient accommodation,” he said.

“For families in the Clarence Valley, having modern maternity facilities close to home matters enormously.

“This investment will provide our local mums and babies with a purpose-built facility and give our maternity staff a contemporary environment in which to provide care.”

The redevelopment will also provide improved ambulance access via Queen Street, additional parking and new outdoor courtyards, while enabling works have included the refurbishment of buildings within the former Grafton Gaol precinct to create a new Administration and Workforce Development Precinct.

Mr Williamson said the project represented an important investment not just in infrastructure, but in the future of the Clarence Valley.

“A modern hospital is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about giving our doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and support staff the facilities they need to deliver the best possible care,” he said.

“It is about giving local families confidence that when they need healthcare, they can access high-quality services right here in the Clarence Valley.

“Today is an exciting day for our community, and I look forward to watching the project take shape over the coming years.

“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in the Clarence Valley, and today we can finally celebrate seeing the main works get underway.”

Construction is expected to be completed in 2029.

PHOTO: Richie Williamson joins with members of the Grafton United Hospital Auxiliary, community members, representatives from the Northern NSW Local Health District and NSW Government to break ground marking the official construction of the multi-million dollar Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment.