A recent drone shot of construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital at Dunmore, which is progressing on target. Photo: NSW Government.
Two major health facility construction projects in Wollongong’s southern suburbs are taking shape as they rise out of the ground.
Work on the new Shellharbour Hospital, in Dunmore Road at Dunmore, started in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Meanwhile, work is well advanced on the Warrawong Community Health Centre, which is on track to open later this year.
The two projects are part of a package worth more than $780 million to deliver new and improved health facilities for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD).
Other works include improvements to Wollongong Hospital and a refurbishment of Bulli Hospital.
The new Shellharbour Hospital, jointly funded by the NSW and Federal governments, includes an expanded emergency department, increased surgical capacity, rehabilitation and aged-care services, acute medical services, mental health, renal dialysis, outpatients care services, car parking and improved public transport links.
According to the latest progress report from ISLHD, major groundworks have been completed, concrete slabs have been poured and structural works are progressing on time.
Work has also begun on the multi-storey carpark and Geera Gardens, a green, welcoming space co-designed with local Aboriginal groups to support the wellbeing of staff, patients, carers and the community.
The NSW Government last year announced it would include a rooftop helipad in the construction of the hospital, overturning a previous decision to omit it.
At the time, Health Minister Ryan Park said the estimated $10 million cost for the helipad would be covered by the project’s broad contingencies funds.
“We’ve been able to work through our existing funding envelope and be able to deliver this,” he said.
The new hospital will become the district’s specialist elective surgical centre, while continuing to be the district’s centre for mental health inpatient care, with new recovery-oriented facilities.
Work to build the new Warrawong Community Health Centre, in the grounds of the former Port Kembla Hospital, started in May 2025. The former centre, near the intersection of King and Greene streets, was demolished earlier that year to make way for the $30 million Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library.
The health centre will operate as a hub for a range of community services from Port Kembla Hospital and across ISLHD, including child and family health services, Binji and Boori (Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service), community nursing, community mental health, sexual health services, drug and alcohol services and a medical equipment loan pool.
It will feature courtyards to support patients accessing clinical services, providing spaces for outdoor education, respite and clinical therapies.
Landscaping has been designed with input from local Aboriginal groups and will feature native plants and trees.
