Multiplex delivers largest ever health infrastructure investment in regional WA

Multiplex's Regional Managing Director Chris Palandri said the Campus heralds a new era in healthcare in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, providing the people of Karratha with access to a state-of-the-art facility.

"The new Karratha Health Campus is an outstanding facility that marks the biggest investment ever undertaken in a public hospital in regional WA," Mr Palandri said. "The new facility has replaced the aging Nickol Bay Hospital and will provide a warm and welcoming environment for patients. "

"The location of the Health Campus in the town centre also provides excellent access for local residents and will create an important hub for the local community," he added.

The new Karratha Health Campus will bring together in one location:

• Double the number of emergency department bays
• A new surgical centre
• New maternity wing and delivery suites
• Helipad
• Expanded outpatient facilities

Multiplex awarded contracts valued at $120 million to WA companies to help deliver the project while the workforce exceeded more than 1,500 people over the two-year period. At times during the construction period, 85% of the workforce either lived locally or was based in Karratha for the duration of the project.

It was a priority of Multiplex and the WA Country Health Service that the Campus could withstand the Pilbara's extreme weather conditions, including severe cyclones. Karratha's remote location, 1,500 kilometres from Perth and hours from neighbouring communities, also meant a helipad was a must.

The Karratha Health Campus is almost double the size of the Nickol Bay Hospital at more than 13,000 square metres. It comprises 40 beds and more than 22,000 pieces of equipment, furniture and fittings.

Construction utilised tilt-up concrete panels, a durable, low maintenance construction method. More than 360 panels were constructed onsite, with the heaviest panel weighing 32 tonnes.

Local residents will be pleased to know, Multiplex transplanted four mature frangipanis from Nickol Bay Hospital to the internal courtyards of the new Karratha Health Campus. Two people spent a week digging up the plants, which were then lifted by crane onto a truck and transported to site.

Multiplex was appointed by the WA State Government in 2015 to design and construct the Karratha Health Campus. The facility will be operated by the WA Country Health Service.

Multiplex has delivered a number of landmark projects for WA in recent years, including Optus Stadium and Stadium Park, the $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Perth Busport, and is also currently constructing the New Museum for WA in Perth's Cultural Centre.