What is happening with the New Royal Hobart Hospital project?
The Tasmanian Government remains committed to a new Royal Hobart Hospital but has decided to defer construction until economic conditions improve due to the impact of the global financial crisis on the State Budget. Tasmania cannot afford the investment of between $1.5 and $2 billion required for a new hospital in the current economic climate and as a result the State Government has ruled out a new hospital on the Railyards site. Planning will continue on a new approach, with a new Royal to be redeveloped on the current site over an extended period, and possibly supplemented by a new building on a nearby site to provide additional space. To ensure the Royal can be maintained properly until economic conditions improve, $100 million will be spent over the next five years on high priority works which will deliver major service improvements and ensure the Royal remains safe and reliable until a new hospital is built.
