MEMBER for Schubert Stephan Knoll has told State Parliament he has confidence a new Barossa hospital will be built, following the announcement of a dedicated $6 million in next Tuesday’s State Budget.

The outgoing MP said the $1 million would go towards finalising a design, the scope of services and other planning works, while $5 million had been set aside for land acquisition and undertaking early works to get the project “off the ground”.

“I can understand the frustration of my community,” said Mr Knoll, who resigned as planning and local government minister last July and will not contest Schubert at the next election.

“It is something that has been talked about by some for almost 30 years, but this is the first time we have actually had money in the Budget, and money in the Budget is how we know that this project is going to go ahead.

“I look forward to being able to update the community on the steps of this project as we go forward so we can finally deliver that regional health facility that we know is going to deliver better outcomes for the people of the Barossa.”

Mr Knoll told Parliament a site was expected to be chosen from one of three in coming weeks and months.

“...one being a ‘brownfield’ site at one of the existing hospitals, the second being a brand-new site on the outskirts of Nuriootpa and the third being a private proposal,” he said.

“Once the site is chosen, we can get on with the early works.”

The concept of a new Barossa hospital is understood to date back to the early 1990s, when the boards of Tanunda and Angaston hospitals were encouraged to merge on the basis that a single brand-new facility would be built.