Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the completion of the first concrete pour for the $110.2 million Cowra Hospital Redevelopment, saying it marks another important milestone in the long-awaited project.
Ms Cooke joined Cowra Councillor and former Mayor Bill West to inspect progress on the state-of-the-art health facility.
"With the site fully cleared of the old buildings and significant earthworks and piling work completed, builders have continued the crucial foundation work with the first concrete pour this week. Now, it's time to start building upwards," Ms. Cooke said.
The concrete pour establishes the foundation for the redeveloped hospital ground floor, featuring the main entrance and front reception area.
"Excitingly, over the months ahead, the redeveloped Cowra Hospital will start to take shape, inching our community closer to the enhanced, tailored health services we need and deserve."
Ms Cooke said the redevelopment of Cowra Hospital would allow residents to receive top-class medical treatment in or near their hometown.
"New and upgraded hospitals play a crucial role in attracting and retaining medical staff. I'm equally excited that local patients will have a significantly different experience with the redeveloped Cowra Hospital. This project ultimately benefits local people - patients and staff alike," she said.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our local doctors, nurses, and allied health clinicians, who continue to care for the community at the existing Cowra Hospital despite the significant building works underway at the rear of the site."
"I also congratulate the main works contractor, Richard Crookes Constructions, on the work to date and their commitment to engaging local trades in the main build. I look forward to watching progress on the redevelopment now that it is in the construction phase," Ms Cooke said.
Mr West said It's wonderful to see this vital health infrastructure taking shape.
"It's great to have a bird's eye view of a project we, alongside the community, fought hard for - a state-of-the-art health facility for the community of Cowra and surrounds," Mr West said.
Upon completion, the new building will offer a state-of-the-art, purpose-designed facility for Cowra and the surrounding region and will include:
- An emergency department
- A general medical and surgery inpatient ward
- A peri-operative service
- A maternity unit with a dedicated nursery
- Ambulatory care
- A dental clinic
- Renal dialysis
- Oncology
- Community Health and Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services
- A medical imaging department, including the hospital's first CT Scanner and Ultrasound
