New Key Health Worker Accommodation (KWA) in Grafton is one step closer following the appointment of a building contractor to deliver 36 new units opposite the Grafton Base Hospital.
Local builder Bennett Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd has been contracted following a competitive tender process undertaken by Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).
The Grafton accommodation is part of a $34.2 million investment in Northern NSW with projects also underway at Lismore and Tweed.
The Northern NSW projects are part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program, delivering 20 projects to help attract and retain essential healthcare workers across rural, regional and remote NSW.
The Grafton project includes refurbishment of existing buildings at the former minimum-security wing of the old Grafton Gaol site to create 36 modern, self-contained one-bedroom units for healthcare staff, as well as new onsite car parking spaces.
The new units will be adjacent to two newly refurbished administration blocks which recently opened at the old Grafton Gaol site to accommodate administrative staff from the hospital.
Together, these projects will enable existing accommodation and administrative services on the hospital campus to be relocated, making way for new and expanded clinical facilities as part of the $283.8 million Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment.
Refurbishment work on Stage 1 of the Grafton KWA will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
The site has capacity for the refurbishment of a second block which will add an additional 36 units in the future.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
“We are strengthening the health workforce in regional, rural and remote communities through several initiatives, including the $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program.
“Key Health Worker Accommodation such as this project in Grafton helps to attract people to work in our more remote regions of NSW.
“By providing modern, comfortable accommodation directly across the road from Grafton Base Hospital we will be better able to attract and retain vital healthcare workers in the region.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:
“Attracting and keeping skilled healthcare professionals on the North Coast relies on having safe, reliable, and accessible housing.
“Transforming the former Grafton Gaol site into 36 self-contained units gives our doctors, nurses, and allied health staff a great place to live right on the hospital’s doorstep.
“It’s fantastic to see local builders Bennett Constructions leading this project, delivering both essential housing for our health workforce and an economic boost for the local community.”
Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Clarence Emily Suvaal MLC:
“To ensure our hospitals continue to provide the health care our community expects, we need the workforce to deliver those services.
“Access to quality, comfortable housing is a vital consideration for key health workers including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals when choosing to work in regional communities.
“This investment in new accommodation across the road from Grafton Base Hospital will provide convenient and accessible housing for health workers and is a commonsense reuse of the facilities at the old Grafton Gaol site.”
Quotes attributable to NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey:
“We’re excited to award this significant contract to Bennett Constructions to provide modern, comfortable new self-contained units for key healthcare workers in Grafton.
“Bennett Constructions is a longstanding Northern NSW company committed to employing local workers and sub-contractors wherever possible.
“This is an important step in the overall redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital and will have a significant, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the Grafton community for years to come while freeing up housing in the town for other uses.”
Quotes attributable to Bennett Constructions General Manager Tim Cohen:
“Bennett Constructions is honoured to partner with Northern NSW Local Health District to deliver the Grafton Key Health Worker Accommodation project.
“The delivery of 36 refurbished self-contained accommodation units will provide high-quality housing for healthcare workers who play such an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the Grafton and broader Northern NSW community.
“As a long-standing Northern NSW company, we are proud to support local employment and engage local subcontractors and suppliers wherever possible throughout the delivery of this project.
“We thank the NSW Government, NSW Health Infrastructure and Northern NSW Local Health District for their investment in regional communities and for their continued confidence in local businesses to deliver important infrastructure. Projects like this help build local capability, strengthen regional economies, and create lasting benefits for local communities.”
