Health Minister Roger Cook and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti joined representatives from the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation today to announce there will be a Kids Bridge built from nearby the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) to Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
This means sick children, their families and hospital staff will be able to cross busy Winthrop Avenue with ease, connecting kids with the beauty and nature on offer at Kings Park.
The bridge project has been made possible by a $6.3 million funding commitment from the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation and will be built and maintained by Main Roads Western Australia.
The project will see the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Winthrop Avenue to connect the outdoor area between PCH and the multi-story carpark on the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Medical Centre campus to Kings Park bushland.
Main Roads will manage the design, construction and maintenance of the bridge, working collaboratively with Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, QEII Medical Centre Trust and the City of Perth.
The bridge will provide opportunities for both inpatients and outpatients and their families to access Kings Park while they are at PCH receiving treatment. It will also provide a huge opportunity for a range of therapies, including allied health, to be delivered in an environment which harnesses the health and wellbeing benefits of nature.
The potential benefits of the bridge will also extend to staff across the QEII campus who can easily access the park for fitness, lifestyle and wellbeing activities as well as for access to existing cycle and pedestrian paths for commuting.
Construction tenders are expected to be advertised in the second half of this year with construction completed by the end of 2021.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"I am delighted to announce today that the Kids Bridge project is going ahead. Not only will it provide a huge opportunity to deliver a range of therapies for children at Perth Children's Hospital in a natural environment, but it will also provide some much needed respite for families in Kings Park, the natural heart of Perth.
"We know there is strong evidence in the power of nature in healing and this bridge will allow this to be harnessed. The opportunity for some of our sick children and their families to access this urban sanctuary during a challenging time is a wonderful bonus.
"The bridge will also be available for staff, patients and visitors from across the entire QEII site, providing an easy way to connect with beautiful Kings Park."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"I am pleased Main Roads will be able to play a major role in this new bridge, which will provide joy and new opportunities to children and their families.
"Main Roads will manage its design and construction, working collaboratively with Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, QEII Medical Trust and the City of Perth.
"The design of the bridge is unique and colourful and, when complete, will become an iconic new structure across Winthrop Avenue."
As stated by Perth Children's Hospital Foundation Chairperson Ian Campbell:
"The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation is delighted to fund what we believe is a wonderful legacy to WA's sick children and their families.
"The Kids Bridge will be an outstanding addition to the world class facility that is the Perth Children's Hospital.
"We applaud the WA Government for so enthusiastically supporting this milestone project."
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500
