Legislative Council, Wednesday 22 March, 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the very welcome - and now completed - redevelopment of King Island Hospital, I am informed the redevelopment included funding committed to the construction of three new housing properties to support the attraction and retention of health care workers.

The new buildings were not built. Instead, the department purchased properties at 100 Main Street, Curry, to repurpose six holiday cabins, which are not particularly suitable for family accommodation, and a large, older house on the same title. My questions are:

(1) Was the decision to purchase and renovate the six cabins at 100 Main Street made as a result of cost overruns on the hospital redevelopment? If not, when will the three new properties be constructed;

(2) will the large house at 100 Main Street be fully restored to enable a family to occupy this, noting a number of health workers with families of four to six children have expressed interest in relocating to work on King Island and need accommodation that is currently not available without this on King Island? The house needs significant repairs; and

(3) what other housing/accommodation options are being considered to attract and retain nursing and other health staff to King Island?

ANSWER

I thank the member for her question.

(1) No. The decision was made as the tender received for the construction of the staff accommodation on the grounds of the King Island Hospital did not represent value for money.

(2) The large house at 100 Main Street is being upgraded to ensure it meets the required standards to be used for staff residential accommodation in the short term.

(3) The Department of Health is working to better understand future demand for health staff housing on King Island and other areas of need, and is developing an eligibility policy to determine future housing requirements. In addition, the department is centralising the management of rental accommodation and investigating commercial options to provide a greater range of accommodation solutions that will be informed by its workforce strategy.