Cladding to be removed and replaced from the Princess Alexandra Hospital

Cladding on the Princess Alexandra Hospital will be removed and replaced following the completion of a building façade test in Melbourne.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the findings of the façade testing confirms preliminary testing undertaken by the Non-conforming Building Products Taskforce.

“In accordance with the procedures established by our Taskforce, a façade test was arranged and observed by taskforce representatives including Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel and an independent fire engineer,” Mr de Brenni said.

“It is clear from the façade test that the cladding should be removed and this process of removal will commence in coming days.”

Mr de Brenni said the heightened security and emergency response procedures currently in place at the hospital would continue.

“The current additional measuresinclude around-the-clock monitoring and an elevated QFES readiness to respond to any incident at the hospital.

“The hospital will continue to operate safely and provide vital health care services for the people of Queensland.

“Removing the cladding is the sensible thing to do. It’s an investment in the long-term future of the hospital and it means that we’re achieving the highest possible level of safety.

Mr de Brenni said that work has commenced to procure a suitably qualified builder to remove the cladding. It is anticipated that this work will commence within four weeks.

“We will begin removing cladding from the building as the priority step, ahead of a replacement process.

“I am advised that the total time for the entire process of removal and replacement is forecast to take up to 18 months.

“This means a new material may not appear on the building until later in 2018 and for an amount of time the hospital will not have external cladding.

“Our approach will ensure that the operational performance of the hospital is maintained throughout the process.

“We have been very clear that our number one priority is to ensure the highest possible level of safety for patients, staff and their families. At all stages we will be guided by the key principle that people are first priority.

“While we will be diligent in executing our building contracts, it will be safety rather than cost that will continue to be our number one consideration.”

Mr de Brenni said Queensland was continuing to lead the way in responding to the risk of non-conforming products, with new Chain of Responsibility laws passing Parliament in the sitting.  

“Queensland will be the only jurisdiction in the country where a building regulator has the power to prevent these products coming onto new building sites,” he said.

“We will make sure that we continue to lead the country in make sure the buildings where we live, work and play are safe.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Tristan Douglas 0447 164 197