Multiplex completes new Byron Central Hospital

Byron Central Hospital will bring together a variety of enhanced acute care and integrated community based services including nursing, allied health, mental health and drug and alcohol services.

“This is a fantastic project for the Byron Shire. We have enjoyed being part of the community for the past year and working with local businesses, schools and job service providers,” said Mr David Ghannoum, Regional Managing Director of New South Wales at Multiplex.

A key construction challenge for Multiplex in delivering the new Hospital was the site’s location in rural farm area, with limited critical infrastructure in place.

New arterial roadworks also had to be constructed on a busy live road with 16,000 vehicle movements a day, requiring strategic scheduling and planning.

Designed by architect Nettleton Tribe, the 9,400 square metre complex comprises a three-building hospital complex with 43 overnight beds, 20 non-acute mental health beds, a spacious maternity unit with three birthing rooms, four oral health chairs, naturally lit chemotherapy unit, and extensive ambulatory care clinics and consultation rooms.

It also includes a 14-bay, 24-hour emergency department with an additional four drop off bays for immediate hospital access, as well as a 54 space public car park.

A labour force of up to 200 people per day worked on-site during the construction.

Local employment was significantly boosted by the construction of Byron Central Hospital with workers from the Northern Rivers and southeast Queensland comprising 62 per cent of the workforce on-site and a mix of trades, trades assistants, apprentices and construction trainees coming from the Byron Shire itself.

Multiplex also partnered with indigenous employment provider Novaskill to provide full-time employment for 11 indigenous trainees.

Construction commenced in October, 2014 and saw some 15,000 cubic metres of earthworks completed, 3,200 cubic metres of concrete poured, 190 tonnes of reinforced steel used, along with over 9,200 square metres of reinforced mesh and a total of 250 tonnes of steel used in the portable roof frame.

Multiplex has developed a strong reputation for its expertise in delivering successful health projects including the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, the Clinical Services Building at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and the recently completed South East Regional Hospital in Bega.