The $890 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct has reached a major milestone, with construction for the new acute services building now complete.
The new seven‑storey building that forms part of John Hunter Hospital will support the delivery of specialist world-class healthcare for communities across Newcastle, the Hunter region and northern NSW.
The Minns Labor Government’s 2026-27 NSW Budget delivered a $55 million boost to the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, bringing the total investment to $890 million and making it the largest hospital redevelopment outside metropolitan Sydney.
Once operational, the new facility will deliver:
- a new emergency department to meet a projected future demand of more than 95,000 presentations each year
- 22 operating theatres and nine interventional suites to support growing demand for procedural services
- birthing suites, inpatient maternity, neonatal intensive care unit, and special care units
- rooftop helipad
- more than 900 additional car parking spaces for patients, staff, and visitors.
The acute services building will increase the intensive care unit’s capacity by 60 per cent and will deliver almost 50 per cent more operating theatres, ensuring it is fit for purpose and ready to provide care to the growing region.
Four link bridges connect the building to the existing hospital and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, strengthening links between clinical care, research and innovation.
Operational commissioning is now underway, including staff orientation, equipment installation and systems testing. The acute services building is expected to welcome patients later this year, with refurbishment works in the existing hospital to follow in 2027.
The project is being delivered in partnership between Health Infrastructure, Hunter New England Local Health District, Multiplex Constructions and Bureau Veritas Buildings and Infrastructure.
For more information about the project, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/john-hunter-redevelopment
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
“This is a major milestone for the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct and a significant investment in the future of healthcare for communities across the region.
“We are delivering more beds, more hospitals, and more services to meet the needs of growing communities like the Hunter.
“For people in Newcastle, the Hunter, and northern NSW, the completion of this new building will mean access to specialist world-class health care, closer to home.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“This is a massive milestone for Hunter communities. John Hunter is the hospital our region turns to in its toughest moments, and this redevelopment means it will be ready for generations to come.
“The Hunter is growing, and our health services need to grow with it. For too long, people outside of Sydney have had to travel further than they should for specialist care and our investment of $890 million means more people across the Hunter can get world-class treatment closer to home.
“This project is about backing patients, backing staff and backing the future of healthcare in the Hunter. It will change lives, support our hardworking health workers and strengthen one of the most important hospitals in NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
“It’s great to see that these works are complete on this much needed $890 million investment in health services in the Wallsend electorate. I look forward to the new building coming on-line towards the end of the year, with additional car parking and the upcoming opening of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass alleviating parking and traffic issues.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison:
“This redevelopment is about making sure people across our community can access the care they need, when they need it.
“The new acute services building will help ensure our growing community has access to modern facilities, more services and the highest quality healthcare, close to home.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington:
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering a record investment in health services for Hunter which has seen 42 new paramedics in Port Stephens, nearly 600 more nurses across the Hunter, and significant investments in The John and Maitland hospitals.
“This major milestone is backed by the massive investment we’re making in the essential health services that locals rely on.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison:
“The Hunter deserves world-class healthcare, and today that is exactly what we are delivering. This $890 million investment is the single largest hospital redevelopment outside Sydney – and it will mean real, lasting change for every patient, family and health worker across our region.
“I am very proud to be part of a government that is prioritising the health and wellbeing of our communities. For too long, people in our region have had to travel for the specialist care they need, today that changes.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr:
“The John Hunter Hospital redevelopment is a major investment in the future of healthcare for our region, giving local families access to the high-quality services they need, closer to home.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp:
“Newcastle and the Hunter is a growing region; we deserve a world-class health facility where Novocastrians can receive specialist care close to home.
“With construction officially complete, we are delivering more beds, better facilities, and accessible medical services to Newcastle.”
