Peter Hendy (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On Friday, 26 September I represented federal Minister for Health Dutton at the topping-out ceremony for the South East Regional Hospital in Bega. There I was joined by the New South Wales Treasurer and local state member Andrew Constance and by the New South Wales health minister Jillian Skinner. Also present were Dr Max Alexander, CEO of the Southern New South Wales Local Health District; Jennifer Symons, the chair of the local health district; Heather Austin, General Manager of Bega Valley Health Service; and David Ghannoumo, Managing Director of the builders Brookfield Multiplex.

This $187 million project is the biggest single infrastructure project in Eden-Monaro. The federal government is contributing $160.1 million. Despite the need to get the budget under control, this hospital remains a top priority of the federal government, recognising the health needs in our region. This is just part of the massive investment by both federal and New South Wales governments in health infrastructure over the coming years. The topping out marks the completion of the highest point of the construction since the awarding of the tender for main works earlier this year. It has been great to see the construction of this bipartisan project proceed from the first concrete pour in May to topping out in September. It is certainly on track to being opened on time in early 2016.

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