The 31-metre tower crane supporting delivery of the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit will be known as "Lofty," following a huge community response to the project's 'Name the Crane' competition.
Almost 1,000 votes were cast between the three finalists with "Lofty" receiving 707 votes, followed by "Burralga" (local Aboriginal word for the Brolga crane bird) in second place and "Bunji" (meaning "mate") in third place.
A total of 185 entries were received from members of the community, including patients, families, staff, volunteers, and school students. The finalists were selected by staff at Hunter New England Local Health District, representatives from construction contractor Hansen Yuncken, and Health Infrastructure.
The top three names were submitted by Brenda Mears, Fidelis Jaravani and Megan Hall, who all received gift vouchers.
The new Tamworth Mental Health Unit facility will replace the Banksia Mental Health Unit in a new location on the Tamworth Hospital campus and include 37 inpatient beds, as well as a direct link to the Tamworth Hospital building.
The new unit will include:
- four adolescent inpatient beds
- 20 general adult beds, as well as a 5-bed adult high acuity zone
- eight bed older persons' area.
Services at Tamworth Hospital and the Banksia Mental Health Unit will continue to operate as normal during construction, which is expected to be completed in 2025.
The project is being delivered by Hunter New England Local Health District and Health Infrastructure as part of the NSW Government's $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program. Hansen Yuncken is the builder.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"We are grateful for the enthusiasm and community support behind this important project. It will be an exciting time in the coming months as the community sees the new facility rise from the ground up.
"Congratulations to the crane naming winner Brenda Mears and thank you to those who submitted a creative entry.
"We received an enormous response to the competition with hundreds of entries. It really highlights the interest in this project and the activity under way on site.
"The new Tamworth Mental Health Unit will provide enhanced mental health services and modern facilities for the community to provide welcoming, safe and supportive care."
