Old Cadbury chocolate factory to become part of $1.4 billion Dunedin Hospital built by 2026
Labour made the building of a new Dunedin Hospital a campaign pledge in the lead up to last year's general election.
The former Cadbury chocolate factory will be part of Dunedin's new $1.4 billion hospital, expected to be completed in eight years' time.
Health Minister and Dunedin North MP David Clark made the announcement about the city's new hospital late on Friday morning, saying construction would start before the next election and finish in 2026.
During the election campaign, Labour leader and now Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said construction would start on the new hospital during her Government's first term.
The site would include part of the vacant Cadbury factory, which closed on March 29 as production was moved offshore, and a neighbouring block that includes a building occupied by Work and Income.
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Clark said it was "a red letter day" for Otago residents who had waited "too long" for their new hospital, but would eventually have the country's most modern facility that would "serve the people … for decades to come".
"We will deliver on our commitment to start construction within this term of Parliament," he said. "Avoiding further delay will minimise costs and gives certainty to all involved in this major undertaking.
"Everyone knows the current hospital buildings are in a bad way, with leaks and asbestos – and they are deteriorating. I'm pleased that after years of delays we are finally on the way to providing the 21st century health facilities the people of the region deserve."
The construction project would be one of the "most complex and challenging" ever seen in New Zealand and when in full swing it would employ1000 on-site workers, the minister said.
Former Labour leader Andrew Little, with Dunedin North MP David Clark, outside Dunedin's Cadbury factory after its closure was announced.
The new site would involve using the Public Works Act, which gave the Crown statutory authority to acquire land for a public work.
Clark said the Government was negotiating with global food giant Mondelez, which owned Cadbury and the old factory site, and had started the purchasing process for the neighbouring block to the north.
The site was chosen to "maintain the compact and central nature of Dunedin's health and education facilities while giving flexibility for the final design and allowing for further development later", he said.
Opposition health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said on Thursday there was "very little choice between Cadbury and any other site, given those dimensions".
He questioned Clark's commitment to putting a "spade in the ground" during Labour's first term though, saying he believed some hospital services would stay on the current Great King St site and the Government was "hosing down expectations on how long [the build] would take".
Last year, Mondelez announced it would retain part of the old factory for a redeveloped Cadbury World tourist venture, but the rest of the site which is a similar size to the proposed new hospital – would be sold.
A concept design for the new facility is due by the end of this year, and a preliminary design due in mid-2019.
Ardern also rejected a public-private partnership proposed by the then-National government for building the new hospital.
Many of the existing city hospital buildings are too old, in deteriorating condition and not fit for purpose.
The Cadbury factory in Dunedin closed its doors at the end of March.
- Stuff
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