Announcement soon on $10.8m Geraldton Hospital tenders

Successful tenders for earth works, roads and car parks at the redeveloped Geraldton Health Campus — worth $10.8 million — will be announced next week. “Forward works are expected to be completed in early 2021 with construction of the new emergency department, mental health unit and other upgrades to go to tender soon,” Agricultural Region member Darren West said. “This project will provide significant local employment during construction and 100 new full-time permanent jobs once operational.” Mr West broke the news after Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney criticised the WA Government for allocating very little of an initial $2 million for preliminary design, surveys and planning to local businesses. It consisted of 22 small tenders, and Mid West firms won just two of these. Mr West said the tender process was competitive but local businesses would now have a $250,000 advantage for each tender. “We have lifted that from a $50,000 local advantage so it makes it harder for Perth businesses to win the work,” he said. “The Government has broken the Geraldton hospital redevelopment into smaller tenders to better accommodate Mid West businesses. “I think Mr Blayney’s criticism is unfair given that the Barnett Government did not deliver this project.”