Fast-track consent sought for $300m private hospital in Wānaka

A property developer has released details of a bold plan to build a $300 million hospital in Wānaka, which they will be seeking fast-tracked approval for.

Roa, headed by Mike Saegers, is proposing a five-level facility with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds. 

The hospital would be a private one, and at this stage details around whether it would accept public patients under some sort of contract with Health New Zealand are unknown.

Roa's proposed health precinct in Wānaka's Three Parks (Image/Supplied).

In a statement announcing the move, the company says it already has strong interest from established operators in New Zealand, Australia and the United States to manage the hospital.

Mr Saegers says subject to "an efficient consenting regime" things could move rapidly.

“Construction of the hospital could commence within 15 months of consent being received, with a target opening date of 18 to 24 months after that.

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

He confirms Roa has made a submission to Parliament’s Environment Committee in support of the Fast-track Approvals Bill in addition to applying to the Ministry for the Environment to be included as a named project in Schedule 2.

A resource consent application process has already begun with the Queenstown Lakes District Council; however, it’s anticipated this could take up to three years and possibly longer, he says.

The hospital would sit within a wider "health precinct", which would include four new purpose-built offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, as well as on-site parking and ground level retail and hospitality premises opening out onto public pedestrian areas.

Mr Saegers says he has had strong interest already in the commercial office spaces from specialist medical tenants keen to move into Central Otago.

New Zealand architectural firm Warren and Mahoney has designed the buildings within the precinct, to be located on Sir Tim Wallis Drive at Three Parks.

In May, the lack of health services in the Wanaka, Upper Clutha and broader Central Otago region was the subject of a standing room only public meeting held by the local community board and attended by approximately 400 people.

Main image (Supplied): The McCormick Street entrance of Roa's proposed $300-million Wānaka private hospital.