Multiplex appointed to Canberra hospital expansion

Located at Yamba Drive in Garran, the hospital expansion is the largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken by the ACT Government.

It will deliver a modern, purpose-built and state-of-the-art emergency, surgical and critical healthcare facility on the Canberra Hospital campus to meet the healthcare needs of the growing community in the region.

The project will deliver increased capacity across Canberra Hospital's adult intensive care, paediatric intensive care, surgical, coronary care and emergency services.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said that the appointment of Multiplex as the Territory's delivery partner marks a significant milestone for the project, which would see works to expand Canberra Hospital's emergency and critical care capacity starting next year.

"I am pleased that the ACT Government will be partnering with Multiplex to deliver a state-of-the-art emergency and critical healthcare building for all Canberrans, growing our healthcare capacity and creating about 500 local jobs during construction.

"Multiplex is a global construction company which has delivered some of Australia's largest and most complex health infrastructure projects. We are pleased to be partnering with Multiplex to deliver our city's largest health infrastructure expansion since self-government.

"Building a new, bigger emergency facility will ensure that we are well-equipped to respond to the needs of our growing Canberra community, with the project set to provide more operating rooms, more treatment spaces and more intensive care beds as well as more doctors, nurses and clinical staff," said Minister Stephen-Smith.

David Ghannoum, Multiplex Regional Managing Director, said that Multiplex was proud to be delivering this important community infrastructure and their experienced team was eager to make a start.

"Our team is ready to deliver a world-class hospital facility for Canberra which responds to the needs of an ever-changing world.

"Having delivered the University of Canberra Hospital in 2017, we are looking forward to reconnecting with the community and will be implementing specific initiatives to support local employment, safety training and the environment.

"We thank Major Projects Canberra for entrusting us with this once-in-a-generation opportunity. We care about Canberra, its people, its hospital and its future and look forward to working with the ACT Government over the coming years to see this project successfully delivered."

The ACT Government has been preparing the hospital campus to pave the way for works on the new emergency facility to start in 2021. As part of the project's enabling works, the ACT Government has already delivered a new administration building and is progressing new teaching and research facilities, a new Child at Risk Health Unit, new library facilities and a new temporary staff carpark.

Following community feedback, the ACT Government and Multiplex have committed to building an undercover walkway between the new acute facility and the current building 2, demonstrating the commitment of all parties to continue working closely with clinicians, consumers and the local community in the design process for the new facility.

All members of the public will have another opportunity to have their say when the Development Application for the proposed facility is lodged early next year.

For more information about the project visit hospitalexpansion.act.gov.au.