The NSW Government is providing $200 million for the Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment to be delivered. The redevelopment will include an expanded emergency department and maternity services alongside a new modern non-acute mental health inpatient unit (Panorama Clinic). It has been planned to include improvements to inpatient, outpatient and community health services, operating theatres, cardiology services and a new paediatrics zone, alongside an expansion to Daffodil Cottage. The redevelopment will deliver increased parking, both on the hospital campus and in the surrounding streets.
Significant enhancements to clinical services will be delivered to improve patient flow and experience in the expanded emergency department. Virtual and Out of Hospital Care will also help drive greater efficiency and enhanced patient care outcomes. Cardiology and maternity services will also be enhanced through the redevelopment. New mothers and their babies will have single inpatient rooms with overnight carer spaces. The maternity unit will also see new full sized birthing suites, alongside an expanded Special Care Nursery.
The master plan provides a flexible framework for future growth of the campus through infrastructure, development and partnership opportunities.
The hospital design has been informed by extensive feedback from health professionals, staff, patients, Aboriginal community representatives, the Community Reference Group and the local community. The consultation and feedback have been extremely valuable in shaping the redevelopment to ensure it meets the region’s unique health needs.
The project team has undertaken extensive engagement with the local Aboriginal communities to inform the Connecting with Country framework. The hospital’s design has a strong Connection to Country, with light-filled spaces, as well as direct access to recreational areas and improved connection to Victoria Park to create a welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.
The redevelopment will deliver more than 70 additional car parking spaces onsite and in the surrounding streets. This includes 46 additional parking spaces at key locations on the campus providing a significant boost to the existing 306 car spaces on campus for staff, patients and visitors. Access to the hospital for patients, staff and visitors through pedestrian access, car parking and public transport will be delivered through the new Mitre Street front entrance and retention of the existing Howick Street entrance. The project team is continuing to consult with Bathurst Regional Council for the enhanced car parking in the surrounding streets.
No, there are no plans to expand into Victoria Park.
The hospital’s design features light-filled spaces, as well as direct access to recreational areas and improved connection to Victoria Park to create a welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff. The redevelopment will also retain and maximise district views from the hospital campus.
Construction is expected to start in 2025 pending planning approval and the appointment of a contractor.
There will be changes to access arrangements at the site. Any changes will be communicated with staff, patients, visitors and the community well in advance. Patient, visitor, staff and emergency access will always be maintained. The building contractor is required to minimise the effects of dust, noise and disruption to existing services. This includes taking reasonable preventative measures to impacts on adjoining properties. We recognise that construction work has the potential to affect our neighbours and the local community. We will continue to consult with the community as the project progresses to reduce the impact of construction on our neighbours.
In November 2024 the NSW Government announced planning approval reforms to the delivery of new and upgraded public schools and health facilities, allowing the Department of Education (DOE) and the NSW Ministry of Health to streamline approvals for essential infrastructure works. The Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment will now be assessed as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF).
Health Infrastructure will place on public exhibition the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) report and associated technical reports which have been prepared to assess the potential benefits and environmental impacts of the project. The REF report considers feedback from engagement with the community that has helped us identify the potential economic, social or environmental impacts of proposed activities. The report outlines how these impacts can be appropriately mitigated. This is particularly useful when assessing larger or more complex projects or when the activities may affect sites with features that are valued by the community. The public exhibition for stakeholder and community feedback will be open for 28 days. The submissions received will be used to finalise the details of the design, prior to construction commencing in 2025.
The plans and technical documents are available on Health Infrastructure’s website and feedback can be provided via the website until 11.59pm, Friday 21 March 2025. For more information about the project please visit the project website bathurstredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the project team directly through the website or phone 9978 5432 or HI-Bathurst@health.nsw.gov.au
The helipad with be temporarily out of operation during construction of the Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment. Patients requiring more urgent complex care will be safely and effectively managed via helicopter movements from the nearby Bathurst Airport during construction.
If you'd like to make a comment or talk to us, you can email us at HI-Bathurst@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 9978 5432. You can also make a comment online just click the link below.