Geraldton Health Campus upgrade: State Government announces long-awaited tender, awarded to Multiplex

WA’s most delayed major project — the $122.7 million upgrade of Geraldton Health Campus — has finally progressed to the next stage, with a contractor awarded the tender to build it. The State Government will announce on Friday that Multiplex is the successful tenderer appointed to undertake the main works for the long-awaited redevelopment. The works include an expanded emergency department, a new intensive care unit co-located with an improved high-dependency unit, and an integrated mental health service. In a report released in October reviewing 20 major projects, the State’s Auditor-General revealed Geraldton’s hospital upgrade had suffered the longest delay of 58 months since its original planned completion date. The project won’t be complete until 2027, almost five years after the initial promised end date. The failure to award a tender was a major hurdle for the project when, mid-last year, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced the budget had blown out from $73.3m to $122.7m. Despite Multiplex being awarded the contract, the State Government remains vague on the project time line, saying works will start in 2024. The completed first stage included minor works to create an extra 400 car bays and a new ambulance entry, and to redesign the main entrance. But the Government has faced growing community and political criticism and resentment after the second, more significant stage, was plagued with setback after setback. “This redevelopment will be the single biggest investment in Geraldton hospital since the Gallop government redeveloped the hospital back in the early 2000s,” Ms Sanderson said. “We will work with the contractor to ensure this project can be delivered as quickly as possible for the people of Geraldton.” Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said the redevelopment had been her “No.1 priority” since her 2021 election. “So I am thrilled a tender has been awarded and we are progressing to the next stage of the development,” she said. “The redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus will provide our community and the broader region with modern facilities and expanded services.” Earlier this year, the State Government revealed three companies had lodged expressions of interest in the project — Multiplex, Australian Building Construction Company, and Lendlease.