The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment has reached a major milestone, with construction of the new seven-storey acute services building reaching its highest point.
A traditional ‘topping out’ event was held to celebrate the progress of this exciting redevelopment.
As part of the event, a ceremonial tree was lifted onto the roof, with messages tied to its branches from staff, construction workers, and project team members, sharing their excitement and well wishes for the future hospital.
The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will deliver contemporary health facilities to become a health hub for the region, providing the majority of emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute and non-admitted health services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.
The new acute services building will directly connect to the existing hospital and deliver a range of new and expanded health services including:
- A new emergency department and emergency short-stay unit
- New intensive care unit
- Medical wards
- Dedicated acute mental health unit
- Double the number of operating theatres, endoscopy and procedure rooms
- A dedicated cardiology inpatient unit, coronary care unit and cardiac catheterisation laboratory
- A new rooftop helipad
There are currently around 250 workers on site each day supporting construction, with close to 70% of the workforce based locally. The project is expected to support around 800 direct jobs, with the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project.
During construction, the project will use nearly 17,000 cubic metres of concrete and more than 1,500 tonnes of reinforcement. Solar panels capable of powering more than 86 average sized homes are being installed as part of the project to deliver renewable power to the hospital.
Consultation with staff, patients and the community has been a key part of planning and design for the redevelopment, ensuring the new hospital meets the unique health needs of the Shoalhaven region.
The new hospital building on track for completion in 2026.
For more information, visit the project website.
