Global contractor Multiplex has completed works for the new Acute Services Building at John Hunter Hospital, which will transform access to critical health services across the Newcastle and Hunter regions.
Delivered as part of the $890 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, in partnership with Health Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District, the redevelopment is the largest project undertaken by Multiplex for Health Infrastructure to date.
Located on the existing hospital campus, the new development has seen the expansion of John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s Hospitals through delivery of a new building – spanning 110,000 square metres over seven clinical levels, four levels of car parking and topped with a double rooftop helipad.
An onsite event today marked construction completion, which was attended by Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley and Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery, along with representatives from Multiplex, Health Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District.
“We’re incredibly proud to deliver this piece of world-class health infrastructure to support Newcastle, the Hunter and Northern NSW regions’ communities for generations to come. It reflects our expertise in delivering highly complex and large-scale healthcare projects,” said Multiplex Regional Managing Director, David Ghannoum.
The completed building dramatically boosts the region’s healthcare services and includes a new Emergency Department to meet a projected future demand of more than 95,000 presentations each year. A new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will increase capacity by 60% and joins a specialist paediatric ICU, while 22 new operating theatres will increase capacity at the hospital to support the growing demand for procedural services.
The redevelopment has delivered state-of-the-art new birthing suites, an inpatient maternity unit, a neonatal ICU and special care nursery. It also includes industry-leading education facilities for healthcare workers and more than 900 additional car parking spaces for patients, staff, and visitors.
Constructing the new building required significant technical expertise, collaboration and precision, with works undertaken adjacent to the fully operational existing John Hunter Hospital – one of the busiest hospitals in NSW.
The building was constructed over a complex geological setting, including building above a network of legacy mine workings, which required over 6,000 cubic metres of grout to fill the old mineshafts before foundation works began.
The project involved the installation of highly specialised medical equipment, including CT scanners, X-ray and angiography machines. This required purpose-built spaces constructed to millimetre-level tolerances, alongside extensive services integration including cooling systems, high-capacity power supply and security and communication network infrastructure.
The redevelopment has generated significant economic benefits for the Hunter region, with approximately 70% of building work undertaken by local businesses. A total of 4,700 construction workers were employed throughout the project, with around 930 workers onsite each day at peak construction.
As part of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (ISLP), Multiplex delivered its 15th Connectivity Centre – helping connect local job seekers with employment, training and support services on the project and beyond.
The program secured 83 placements for participants across the Hunter region, providing ongoing employment and training for Indigenous Australians, youth at risk, long-term unemployed people and jobseekers from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Women also represented around 14% of the total workforce at JHHIP. In partnership with the NSW Government’s Women in Construction ISLP, Multiplex also rolled out its Jump Start and Jump Start Trades programs – designed to inspire female students from Years 10 to 12 to pursue careers in the construction industry.
More than 120 women participated in the program, introducing them to a range of career pathways – including building trades such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry and site supervision, as well as tertiary credentials in built environment disciplines. Many went on to pursue trade apprenticeships or further study.
Multiplex has strong credentials delivering hospitals and healthcare facilities across Australia, including the Canberra Hospital Expansion, the new Footscray Hospital in Victoria, and the Joondalup Health Campus redevelopment in Western Australia. Current projects include the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital on the NSW South Coast and St John of God Subiaco Hospital Redevelopment Stage Two in Perth.
