Key Details of the Northside Hospital Project
The new North Canberra Hospital has been assigned a price tag of $1.5 billion, with the redevelopment set to include over 200 inpatient beds, a birth centre, and at least 700 additional parking spaces. The project, which was a key promise from the ACT Labor party during the 2024 election, is now part of the ACT government’s latest budget. An additional $1.34 billion will be invested in the hospital over the next seven years.
The first stage of the project involves the construction of a new seven-storey clinical services building. This building will feature a “state-of-the-art” emergency department, a 14-bed intensive care unit, and eight operating theatres. It will also include a birth centre with six birthing suites, a maternity inpatient unit, and a special care nursery.
Some existing buildings on the northern side of the precinct, including the childcare centre, will be demolished to make way for the main building. However, a new 100-place childcare centre is planned as part of the development.
Construction Timeline and Adjustments
Originally, main works on the new building were scheduled to begin this financial year. However, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has confirmed that construction will now start in 2027-2028. She explained that some environmental assessments and detailed design work have taken longer than expected.
“These assessments were necessary to ensure we could move forward with the new childcare centre before demolishing the current one and relocating some of the services currently located on the northern block,” she said. “This preparatory work has taken longer than anticipated.”
Ms. Stephen-Smith noted that the staged redevelopment means not all services from the current main hospital building will be moved into the new stage one building. For example, mental health services will remain in their current location and may even be expanded until the second stage of the build.
“This approach ensures the project remains affordable and minimizes disruption throughout the development process,” she added.
Parking Expansion and Temporary Solutions
Extensive consultation on the hospital’s design and planning has led to an increase in parking spaces, bringing the total number of spots to more than 700. Ms. Stephen-Smith acknowledged the challenges of parking at the current hospital and mentioned that some of the new parking will be located underneath the new clinical services building, while others will be on grade near the facility.
“Some of the new parking will be right next to the building or on the other side of Mary Potter Drive, where the new childcare centre is also planned,” she said. In the meantime, temporary solutions are being explored, including parking at the CIT in Bruce with a shuttle bus service. Efforts are also underway to encourage more staff to use these options.
Government Commitment to Health Infrastructure
In the government’s pre-budget announcement, Treasurer Chris Steel emphasized that health is always the government’s top priority. The 2026-2027 budget reflects this commitment, with the additional $1.34 billion bringing the total funding for the new hospital to $1.5 billion.
“We provide a high level of service to Canberrans when it comes to healthcare, and that’s exactly what our community expects,” Mr. Steel said. “This is a critical investment to expand the capacity of our hospital network to meet the needs of our community over the next decade and beyond.”
However, economist Saul Eslake pointed out that the government is spending three-quarters of its budget on health. He suggested that this sector offers the greatest opportunities for expenditure savings as the government attempts to reduce its deficit. Despite this, Mr. Steel insisted that health infrastructure investment cannot be delayed.
“We need to invest now in this critical health infrastructure to support acute services on the north side, help take pressure off health services on the south side, and build for the future,” he said.
Community Reactions and Concerns
Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton acknowledged the necessity of the new hospital but expressed concerns about its implementation. He highlighted issues with the Behavioural Assessment Unit, where staff were recently trapped for hours due to a patient producing a knife. He also mentioned difficulties with wheelchair access in certain areas.
However, Mr. Parton said he would review the full budget papers before making a final judgment. “The old hospital is past its used-by date, and I think the general feeling is that the shiny new system will be really good for Canberrans, especially those on the north side.”
Carlyn Fidow from the Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation (ANMF ACT) welcomed the investment, stating that modern facilities are essential for contemporary healthcare. She urged the government to recognize the value of nurses, midwives, and AINs through fair wages and conditions.
The current hospital, built in 1979, will continue to operate during construction, with the first stage of the new hospital expected to be completed by 2031.
