Construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital is officially underway, marking a major milestone for the new facility which will transform the delivery of healthcare for the Illawarra community.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park today joined Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson, health workers for a traditional sod turn event, to mark the start of main works construction.
The new hospital is being delivered as part of the more than $780 million new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project, which is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments and includes:
- An expanded emergency department
- Increased surgical capacity
- Rehabilitation and aged care services
- Acute medical services
- Mental health services
- Renal dialysis
- Outpatient care services
- Car parking and improved public transport links.
The new hospital is also being designed to enable construction of a future rooftop helipad.
The new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project also includes:
- Expanded sub-acute services at Bulli Hospital
- New rehabilitation and palliative care beds at Wollongong Hospital
- A new community health centre in Warrawong which will be built on a portion of land at Port Kembla Hospital.
BESIX Watpac was engaged as the head contractor in August of this year following a competitive tender process to build the new hospital.
Construction of the new hospital is expected to be complete in 2027.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
"I'm excited that we have reached this major milestone in the Minns Labor Government's efforts to deliver a suite of enhanced health care facilities for the residents of the Illawarra.
"The new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project will cater for local population growth into the future and relieve pressure on other parts of the Illawarra Shoalhaven health network, including Wollongong Hospital."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
"The works will also help drive education and job opportunities for the Illawarra region, supporting around 800 direct jobs during construction, with the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project.
"The first sod was turned on site today to mark the start of major work. It is an exciting day for the Shellharbour community as we progress the delivery of this state-of the-art health facility."
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones:
"We're getting on with the job of delivering the new Shellharbour Hospital to ensure current and future medical needs of Illawarra residents are met.
"The Albanese Labor Government is providing $128 million for this state-of-the-art facility. Like many others in our community, I'm pleased construction is getting underway."
