Construction work on the new Shellharbour Hospital will continue throughout April with the internal artworks also now being explored. Photo: Jen White.
Artistic works which will be integrated into the internal design of Shellharbour’s new hospital aim to provide crucial elements of inclusivity and comfort to complement the clinical settings, with the first artists revealed as construction continues.
The Shellharbour Hospital in Dunmore may still be more than a year away and concealed by scaffolding but work is already underway to explore opportunities to bring the site to life and enhance the experience for the millions who will use it in the future.
“It is exciting to announce two very experienced artists who will create artworks for the new Shellharbour Hospital and give the region’s new hospital a distinct local identity,” Health Infrastructure Executive Director Nicolas Di Condio said.
“These new artworks will complement the enhanced health services and facilities being delivered, creating connection and supporting care to enhance the overall experience of patients, visitors and staff.
“This contemporary health facility will deliver critical health services for the Illawarra community for generations to come.”
Artist Jake Nash will collaborate with local community groups to co-design a welcoming artwork that will feature at the hospital’s main entrance and Aboriginal family room, and Kate Vassallo will create artworks that will feature within the mental health and drug and alcohol units.
“This is ancient Country – Country that has always healed, regenerated, and cared for people … every patient, family member, and worker who enters is held by Country from the first step,” Jake said.
“Research demonstrates the positive links between health and art, so it is an honour to be creating an artwork for this project knowing the real, tangible benefit it will offer people receiving care,” Kate said.
More artist announcements are expected in the coming months with commissioned works part of the hospital’s arts and culture strategy to create a welcoming, culturally inclusive and therapeutic environment within the hospital.
“One of the big focuses that we’ve had as new hospitals have been built is making sure that we engage with the local community, we engage with the Aboriginal community, around what makes our hospitals more welcoming and make them more safe,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said.
Aerial view of construction of the Shellharbour Hospital from February. Photo: Health Infrastructure.
“In the past that probably hasn’t been such a strong focus but people come into our hospitals on the worst day of their life and we want to make sure them and their families feel welcome and feel that love and support.
“It makes a huge difference. If you have a look at all the research particularly around colour schemes, around artists, around what type of paintings we have, around lighting – these things make a tangible difference into people’s mood.”
Main construction works on the more than $780 million project started in 2024 and are expected to be completed next year.
The NSW Government’s Health Infrastructure department has engaged construction company BESIX Watpac to carry out work from April including the installation of stormwater and other inground services continuing across the site, internal building services rough-in, partition walls installation, formwork, steel reinforcement and concrete pours continuing for the main building and external facade and structural steel erection is continuing, with roofing works to commence generally.
Formwork, steel reinforcement and concrete pours for the multistorey carpark and rooftop helipad will also continue and the onsite construction worker carpark at the southern end of the site is being expanded to ensure workers have sufficient parking available.
Sydney Water is also currently undertaking its own works at the southern end and along the length of Dunmore Road.
Construction is continuing weekdays 7 am to 6 pm, with the exception of public holidays such as Monday 27 April.
“To be honest this has been a labour of love of mine and obviously the local member Anna Watson for a long period of time both in opposition and now in government, so I can’t wait to see this hospital open and delivering the services,” Minister Park said.
“It will take some pressure off Wollongong Hospital which needs it now more than ever and I don’t think that it can come soon enough.”
For more information and updates on the development visit the Shellharbour Hospital Project site.
