Page 1782 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 30 April 1991
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MINISTER FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION
QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE
Royal Canberra Hospital
MR BERRY - asked the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts without notice on 20 November 1990:
(1) The steam boilers at Royal Canberra Hospital at the Acton site are being replaced by hot water boilers. This exercise is being carried out with great haste with staff being required to work overtime to ensure that the boilers are in place by Christmas. Did this replacement need to take place since the Minister has announced that the hospital is to close by the end of next year?
(2) What are the cost of the boilers and the cost of the labour to install them
MR HUMPHRIES - the answer to Mr Berrys question is
(1) I understand the project results from an Australian Construction Services inspection which identified the presence of asbestos material at the site. Following detailed investigations for removal of the asbestos, the steam generation and distribution system was included, as a high proportion of the asbestos problems existed within the plant rooms and reticulation system.
The most cost effective approach to asbestos removal and the supply and installation of steam/hot water generation equipment was selected with the contract for works commencing in August 1990. The work is necessary, given Royal Canberra Hospital North will continue to provide patient services until at least the end of 1991 and, in the longer term, for other tenants and possible future uses of the site. In addition, any overtime worked on the project applies to the contractor and not hospital employees.
(2) The total project cost for asbestos removal, installation of four hot water boilers and associated pipe work is approximately $1.951 million. On completion of the project recurrent costs will be reduced by approximately $290 000 per annum, as the need for dedicated 24 hour boiler attendant coverage will no longer be necessary.
In addition, work on the project was delayed due to withdrawal from the contract by the subcontractor HUNTS Boilers in January 1991. However, the contract arrangements are now in hand and the project is expected to be completed by 31 March 1991.
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