The first concrete slab has been poured and 600 tonnes of steel have been installed in a major milestone for the $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, which will transform the delivery of healthcare in the region.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the project will improve health outcomes across the Hunter.
“A new seven-storey Acute Services Building is the centrepiece of the Precinct and will deliver a 60 per cent increase in Intensive Care Unit capacity and expanded critical care services for both adults and children,” Mr Park said.
Mr Park said the project will also provide a tremendous boost to local jobs and the economy.
“Construction for the redevelopment is progressing and will create around 1,500 direct jobs, with the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project, which is another great win for the local economy,” Mr Park said.
“Around 180 workers are currently working at the site each day, and this is expected to increase to around 800 a day at the peak of construction.”
Minister for the Hunter Tim Crakanthorp said as the only tertiary referral hospital between Sydney and the Queensland border, the John Hunter Hospital is vital in ensuring every growing community in northern NSW has access to high-level emergency care.
“This redevelopment is vital as our regions continue to grow, and I’m thrilled to see this milestone reached and progress continue,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said the area’s local coal mining history has been revisited during work to deliver the redevelopment, with abandoned mining tunnels around 90 metres below ground located on the site.
“Significant planning and preparation have been undertaken by the project team to identify and remediate former underground mining works from decades ago, which is an important step and has ensured we have a solid foundation for the site,” Ms Hornery said.
The John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is due for completion in 2026 and will include:
- New Emergency department and more adult and paediatric critical care services.
- Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit;
- Neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery;
- Two rooftop helipads;
- Operating theatres, interventional and procedure spaces; and
- More than 900 car spaces for staff and visitors.
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