Global construction company Multiplex has been appointed to deliver the enabling works for the $835-million John Hunter Hospital Innovation Precinct in NSW, in partnership with Health Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District.
The project will deliver an innovative and integrated new health precinct in New Lambton with world-class facilities designed to meet the growing needs of the Newcastle, greater Hunter, and northern NSW regions.
Multiplex regional managing director David Ghannoum said the company was delighted to expand its contribution to health services in the region, having recently celebrated the opening of the new Maitland Hospital.
Ghannoum said: “We look forward to working with Health Infrastructure and the Hunter New England Local Health District to help realise their sustainability goals and bring to life the design concepts developed as part of their community consultation.”
Designed by BVN, the project will see the existing John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s Hospitals redeveloped to include a brand new seven-level acute services building, along with refurbishment to parts of the existing hospital.
The project will significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60 per cent increase in intensive care unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres.
The new emergency department will see treatment spaces for patients increase by more than 50 per cent and there will be new spaces for women and children, including paediatric and neonatal intensive care units, as well as two new inpatient units.
Multiplex will deliver its 15th connectivity centre as part of the project, a physical hub to bring together employment and support services and connect local job seekers with opportunities on the project and beyond.
Ghannoum said: “The connectivity centre is a proven model which we successfully rolled out on our Maitland Hospital project.
“We are committed to having a positive impact in the community as part of our role here, and creating opportunities for local participation wherever possible.”
Multiplex will start enabling works for the project next month with expected completion in early 2026.
Along with the Maitland Hospital, Multiplex has also delivered the Westmead Hospital redevelopment and Liverpool Hospital enabling works in recent years.