Armidale has a new landmark on its horizon – with the new $60 million hospital redevelopment now reaching its peak.
NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard today joined Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall to take part in a traditional Topping Out ceremony – celebrating construction reaching its highest point after just seven months.
Mr Marshall said the hospital would deliver gold-standard facilities and services.
“This has been a major boost to the local economy as almost a third of the contractors and subcontractors are locals,” Mr Marshall said.
“More than 300 construction workers have been inducted on the site, with the development also providing great opportunities to train up apprentices.”
Mr Hazzard said cranes were working at capacity to bring new and upgraded health facilities to every corner of the state.
“This $60 million redevelopment has been done with the community’s future health requirements in mind, and it will serve Armidale for decades to come,” Mr Hazzard said.
To date, more than 1,850 cubic metres of concrete have been poured and 700 tonnes of steel reinforcement laid.
The redevelopment includes the new building and refurbishment of existing spaces and:
Construction of the four-storey building is expected to be completed in late 2017, with refurbishment finishing in 2018. The redevelopment has focussed on repurposing the history of the hospital site, with landscapes and pathway designs incorporating heritage Armidale Blue Bricks.
It is a construction industry tradition to raise a tree on top of a new building to show that it’s reached its highest point. The tree will be planted on site at the building’s completion.