SHIRE OF ASHBURTON AWAITS PROMISED HOSPITAL

BY ASAD KHAN

Shire President, Audra Smith, joined Shane Roulstone, delegate for Western Mine Workers Alliance (Supplied)

The Shire of Ashburton says the state government must honor its commitment to build a $12.8 million hospital in Tom Price.

The state government committed in 2021 to building a new hospital to replace outdated existing facilities.

Shire President Audra Smith says the area needs medical facilities that can provide quality care to residents including high-risk workers in the mining sector. 

“There is no progress, we haven’t had any confirmations about plans of building a new Tom Price hospital, hence, why we are advocating very hard to have this new Tom Price hospital to be built,” she said.

“They committed this three years ago. I was at the meeting, I was at the announcement where the state government, the ex-premier, announced that we are gonna get a hospital at Tom Price. I think everyone should just call on the government and say, ‘Where is our hospital?’”

A state government spokesperson told Ngaarda Media the Cook government remains committed to this project but changes in changing market conditions have resulted in significant cost pressures.

Listen to the full Interview with Ashburton Shire President Audra Smith: