The Australian Government is commencing the next phase of the Norfolk Island Multipurpose Health Services Facility (MPHS) project with stakeholder consultations to inform the initial design of the proposed MPHS.
GHD Pty Ltd, the design services contractor recently engaged by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the department), will initiate the design process by engaging with stakeholders in two stages.
The first stage, which will start in the next week, will involve a series of targeted meetings with utilities and health service staff and preliminary site investigations to gather specific technical information to inform initial design options.
The second stage will involve engagement with the broader Norfolk Island community on the proposed design and is expected to commence shortly after stage one, or when travel restrictions are lifted to allow consultation to be undertaken in person. All consultations will be undertaken in a COVID-safe and appropriate way, including physical distancing.
This second stage of the consultation will explore potential design solutions with the community, and local stakeholders, in line with the principles of the Norfolk Island Community Engagement Framework. Further information on this consultation process will be provided in coming weeks.
The feedback provided by the community to KPMG through extensive consultations on the 2019 Draft Norfolk Island Health Service Plan (the 2019 Draft Plan) will also inform design of a new health facility for Norfolk Island. The 2019 Draft Plan is now in the process of being finalised.
It is important to keep in mind that these consultations are part of the design stage for the project. Progression to the construction stage would be subject to Government budget and approval processes.
If you have any questions about the NI MPHS project prior to the next round of consultations, please contact the Office of the Administrator by email: office.administrator@regional.gov.au or phone 22152.
Eric Hutchinson
Administrator of Norfolk Island
18 June 2020