Property investment company Roa has today (Wednesday May 8) announced its plan for a $300M hospital in Wānaka’s Three Parks, and says it has sought Fast-track Approval.

Roa said in a statement to media it plans to build a “state-of-the-art integrated regional hospital” in Wānaka “to help meet the future health needs of its rapidly growing population”.

Plans for the $300M privately funded project comprise a five-level hospital with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds.  

Roa said the hospital will be at the heart of a broader “health precinct” which would include four offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, on-site parking, and ground level retail and hospitality opening out onto public pedestrian spaces.

The site of the planned healthcare precinct.

“Roa will engage a high-quality private healthcare operator to manage the hospital and already has strong interest from established operators in New Zealand, Australia and the United States,” the statement said.

“There is similar strong interest in the commercial office space from specialist medical tenants interested in moving into Central Otago.”

Queenstown Lakes District deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App he welcomed the investment in health care.

“We will keep advocating for public services to come alongside it,” he said, citing services such as much-needed after hours emergency care (which is currently operated by local GPs only until 11pm).

Access to health services in the Upper Clutha was the subject of a packed public meeting in Wānaka in March, hosted by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board.

Read more: Community sends resounding message to health officials

The hospital resource consent application process has been submitted to Queenstown Lakes District Council, but Roa said it anticipated this could take up to three years, prompting the business to apply for the project to be a named project in Schedule 2 of the government’s new Fast-track Approvals Bill.

Roa CEO Mike Saegers said an efficient consenting scheme was critical. 

Go deeper: Roa to apply for fast-track approval

“Construction of the hospital could commence within 15 months of consent being received, with a target opening date of 18-24 months after that,” Roa CEO Mike Saegers said.

“Delay in consenting translates directly through to delay in the doors opening on this much needed beneficial community health asset.”

Architects Warren and Mahoney designed plans for the hospital and surrounding health precinct, to be located on Sir Tim Wallis Drive. 

IMAGES: Supplied