Fast-track consent documents for the new Dunedin Hospital have been lodged and are being considered by an independent panel. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) land and oceans manager Sandra Balcombe signed off allowing the project to go through the fast-track process at the start of the recent lockdown. The consent documents showed considerable dewatering work would be needed on the inpatient building site to allow its basement to be watertight. Planners had considered both bored piles and driven piles for the inpatient building and following extensive tests, were recommending that bottom driven steel tube piles be used. Work on the inpatient building will begin in 2023.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 02, 2021 16:30 UTC