Construction begins on South Australia’s new home of cancer accommodation, research, prevention and support

Construction began today on Cancer Council SA’s new, integrated cancer building at 202 Greenhill Road, Eastwood, with Premier Steven Marshall and Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade MLC joining Cancer Council SA Board Chair The Hon Karlene Maywald to mark the occasion by turning the first sod.

The five-story, $31 million development will be the state’s new home for all South Australians impacted by cancer.

Combining cancer research, prevention, information and support services alongside a new benchmark 120-room supportive accommodation facility, the building will replace Cancer Council SA’s current supportive accommodation facilities on Greenhill Road and Dequetteville Terrace.

Cancer Council SA Board Chair Karlene Maywald said that the new building will ensure that every South Australian is given every chance to survive a cancer diagnosis.

“Almost one third of South Australians affected by cancer live in rural and regional areas, with South Australians more likely to die within five years of a cancer diagnosis the further they live from a metropolitan area,” she said.

“The huge cost of travel and accommodation in the city, and the extra pressure it can place on families, can cause regional South Australians heading to Adelaide to end their treatment prematurely. It can have disastrous effects on their health and seriously affect their chances of survival.

“This project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to better serve all South Australians, regardless of where they live, by taking supportive patient care to the next level for this generation and the next.”

The project, which is supported by a $10million grant from the State Government, has appointed South Australian company Sarah Construction as the project builder, with Cheesman Architects designing the five-storey integrated cancer centre in conjunction with Cancer Council SA.

Adrian Esplin, CEO of Sarah Constructions, said that the South Australian Project will also be an important one for the local economy and construction industry.

“As a proud South Australian business, we are delighted to be awarded the contract to deliver this once in a generation project for Cancer Council SA, which will not only deliver the next generation of cancer care in South Australia but will support up to 160 jobs during its life, including 83 jobs during construction,” he said.

The new building is expected to be completed by June 2022.

Cancer Council SA’s Flinders and Greenhill Lodge will continue to operate throughout the construction process to provide a home away from home for regional and remote South Australians travelling to Adelaide for cancer treatment.

For more information on the Project visit 202greenhill.com.au.