The community surrounding the $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct (JHHIP) will benefit from improved traffic flow at the campus with two new internal roads and roundabouts complete.
The new roads will open on Thursday, 10 October and are being built in preparation to connect to the 900-space car park beneath the new acute services building, which is under construction and expected to be completed in 2026. Public car parking remains in Car Parks 1, 2 and 3.
Drivers visiting the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) must travel clockwise around the campus via the two new roundabouts and enter the HMRI car park from the northern end. Access via Gumtree Close is closed to vehicles, but cyclists and pedestrians can still use this road.
Signage to mark changes to traffic and access points will be in place on the campus.
The northern roundabout will connect to the Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner-City Bypass being delivered by Transport for NSW, which is estimated to remove 40,000 cars per day from Lookout Road once completed.
There were more than 550 entrants into a competition held for John Hunter Hospital staff to name the roads, with Cockatoo Crescent and Banksia Drive the winning entrants.
- Cockatoo Crescent – named after the campus’s most vocal inhabitants
- Banksia Drive – inspired by the Hairpin Banksia, which is abundant in the neighbouring bushland
The $835 million John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct will include:
- A new Emergency Department and more adult and paediatric critical care capacity
- Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit
- Neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery
- Rooftop helipad
- Operating theatres, interventional and procedure spaces
Construction of the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is progressing, with the new building set to reach its full height in the new year. The new acute services building is scheduled for completion in 2026 followed by refurbishment of areas of the existing health facility, which is due for completion in 2027.
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Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
“The completion of these road works marks an important step in future-proofing the road network and improving access to this expanding hospital campus.
“The $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will transform healthcare services for Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“As we embrace the $835 million updates to the John Hunter Hospital, we’re committed to ensuring its accessibility, making it easier for visitors to connect with loved ones and receive medical care.
“We know that many travel long distances to John Hunter and providing convenient nearby parking alleviates one more concern for people seeking medical attention or visiting family.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison:
“The John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is critical for improving health outcomes for residents of Maitland and across the wider Hunter region.
“It is wonderful to see such critical investments being made to provide access to leading edge medical facilities so close to our community.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
“This $835 million project significantly increase capacity to provide essential healthcare services to Newcastle, and surrounding areas.
“These changes occurring at the John Hunter Hospital are essential to expand the State’s largest regional hospital and provide the best care and services to our region and beyond.”
