An artist’s impression of the new Shellharbour Hospital. Image: Health Infrastructure.
Plans for the addition of a helipad to the New Shellharbour Hospital are now available for public comment.
As well as the new helipad, other changes in the Modification Report 2 include the provision of a Safe Assessment Unit for the Emergency Department and minor alterations to the multideck carpark, landscape details and pathways.
The plans are available for feedback on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website. Submissions close on Wednesday, 17 December.
During the Kiama byelection campaign in August, Health Minister Ryan Park announced the government would include the helipad in the initial build after it was omitted from the approved plans.
At the time he said the helipad would be delivered in 2027 along with the hospital.
“I had to get to a point where I was satisfied that there was enough funding within the existing envelope that we could do this,” he said.
“It comes at a cost of around $10 million. We always have broad contingencies in place for a project this size; we’ve been able to work through our existing funding envelope and be able to deliver this.”
The addition of the helipad on the roof will also require a lift shaft and stair extensions as well as a lift lobby. Adding the helipad effectively increases the building’s height from seven storeys to eight.
The modification report said inclusion of a rooftop helipad would enable the rapid transfer of patients requiring urgent treatment and strengthen the region’s emergency response capability.
“This inclusion will provide Illawarra residents with faster access to emergency and critical care when the hospital opens,” the report said.
The report said flight activity would be low – about three arrivals and departures per month – which would result in minimal noise impacts on the surrounding area.
“Whilst noise associated with helicopter movements would be introduced, the frequency and duration are limited, and overall, the modified proposal does not introduce any significant new or altered adverse environmental impacts,” it said.
“Lighting will be limited to operational use for safety purposes, with minimal visibility from surrounding areas … engineering assessments confirm no adverse downwash effects on nearby structures or occupants.”
No refuelling or maintenance will occur at the helipad or anywhere on the site.
