Opinion: Lara Dalton MLA on the fight to secure investment for Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment

There has never been a greater investment in the health budget than the investment under this Government — so when I fought for extra funding for the redevelopment of the Geraldton Health Campus, the Premier and the Health Minister listened. I’m excited to announce that we are moving forward with the $122.7 million development out for tender today. The McGowan Government is calling for expressions of interest for further construction works at Geraldton Hospital. We’ll be using local jobs, supporting the local economy, and ensuring that money is available to meet the demands of a booming State economy and heated construction market. This redevelopment will be the single biggest investment in Geraldton Hospital since the Gallop Government redeveloped the hospital back in the early 2000s. The first stage of the works is complete and includes more car parking, a new ambulance entry and a reconfigured main entry. The second stage of the project will include the construction of an expanded emergency department, a new intensive care unit, an improved high dependency unit, and an integrated mental health service. In March 2013 the former Member for Geraldton wrote to this paper saying the “Hospital is top priority for me” and promised upgraded redevelopments that year and then every year after. But it wasn’t until Labor came to Government in 2017, that the hospital redevelopment was realised. For Labor, regional towns are an essential part of Western Australia, worthy of the sorts of health infrastructure people in the city might receive. I’ve lived in Geraldton most of my life. High quality healthcare is one of the reasons I wanted to represent this wonderful place. I’m so proud to have fought for this redevelopment and to have worked closely with the Premier and the minister to have secured the health infrastructure our community so deserves. I believe that quality healthcare should be available to you no matter where you live, and this significant redevelopment will ensure that the people who use our health services are able to do so close to home and close to their families and loved ones.