Hospital could have ‘significant impact’

The new Dunedin hospital — now with an available budget of $2.1 billion — will have a massive impact no matter where you put it, Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma says.

‘‘Especially in a time where New Zealand is an economy struggling and we are trying to come out of a recession, projects like this can have quite a significant impact in our recovery.’’

Any large infrastructure project could be delivered in a multitude of ways.

• South showing its resilience amid downturn

The government could go with the lowest cost provider, or it could assess what impact choosing a particular provider could have on the regional economy.

‘‘If you can put that picture together, that can actually have a significant impact in boosting regional economy.’’

Organisations that gave anywhere from 40-60% of the work back to regional businesses could create a significant flow-on effect.

If the hospital project was ultimately implemented in such a way, Mr Sharma said it would not only boost building and construction businesses in the regions, but also help the wider support industries.

‘‘My hope is with everything I’m seeing around what’s happening with the ... hospital project, it will have quite a big impact on the region.

‘‘I think a lot of local businesses will get a flow on, a positive impact from the work which will become available.’’