The ODT has seen documents which showed Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora had asked CPB, which is the preferred contractor for the inpatients building, to re-tender key subcontractor packages to ensure it was obtaining the best value for money or to prepare for alternative contractors.
Foleys is one of the firms tasked with the plumbing at the outpatients and inpatients building, but a worker for Foleys told the ODT there had been meetings with staff outlining the possibility it could lose its contract.
"We’re worried it could go to someone else, possibly out of Dunedin or even further afield."
They said there had been meetings discussing the situation in the past two weeks.
"I suppose the government will be tasking the main contractor with finding as many savings as possible."
Foleys declined to comment.
The new Dunedin hospital project was originally budgeted at $1.59 billion, but the ODT understands the costs have ballooned to more than $2b.
HNZ head of infrastructure delivery Blake Lepper has said the project was receiving pricing for the above-ground construction of the inpatient building.
"We remain committed to working in good faith with CPB, with whom we have the early contractor engagement agreement. Any discussions between parties are commercially sensitive.
"HNZ is committed to delivering an important health facility that represents value for money and provides the health services needed for the local community."
