New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park found himself in a challenging position during a budget estimates hearing on August 21, 2023. He was confronted by Greens MP Amanda Cohn, who pointed out that soil quality at the Albury Hospital was classified as “P for problem.” This revelation came as a surprise to Park as he responded, “jeez, you’ve got me on that one,” during the session held in Parliament House in Sydney.
The inquiry revolved around a report from Civiltest Pty Ltd, which conducted a field investigation as part of an environmental review for the new Northeast building currently under construction at the hospital. Cohn questioned Park regarding the implications of the problematic soil, emphasizing that it could significantly impact the foundation work needed for the planned clinical services building.
In response, Park acknowledged the challenging conditions that can arise in hospital construction but did not provide specific details on potential costs associated with addressing the soil issues. Troy Harvey, a senior health infrastructure bureaucrat, supported Park’s comments, noting that there are often “challenging geotechnical and contamination conditions” in such projects.
Cohn expressed her concerns regarding the implications of the soil quality findings, stating, “surely this is a huge additional cost moving forward.” She critiqued Park’s lack of awareness about the soil’s condition, stating that it could hinder the redevelopment efforts and inflate costs significantly.
The discussion around the Albury Hospital’s structural integrity has been ongoing. Benambra MP Bill Tilley previously raised alarms in 2023 about ground stability and potential structural damage at the facility. Tilley expressed frustration, saying, “One day the buildings at Albury Base are cracking, the next it’s all swept under the rug.” He highlighted the report’s clarity, stating that it outlines a significant problem while suggesting that the health minister and his team appeared unprepared for its implications.
Local officials are also voicing their concerns. Albury Mayor Kevin Mack pointed out that the issue of soil instability was known from the onset of the project. “That issue was identified in early days in early boring and certainly we brought it to their attention as council at the site that when it was originally built, it was unstable,” Mack remarked.
Despite the challenges, Albury MP Justin Clancy remains optimistic. He acknowledged the past issues but expressed confidence in the current project. “This new Northeast building and clinical services building, I’ve got confidence that Health Infrastructure will ensure it is engineered adequately, appropriately,” he stated, adding that local construction discussions indicate that the necessary measures will be taken.
As the situation develops, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the New South Wales government addresses the concerns surrounding the Albury Hospital project, particularly regarding the implications of soil quality on future costs and construction timelines.
