The first of two cranes to be installed on the new Shellharbour Hospital construction site. Photo: NSW Government.
A 52-m crane now towers over the new Shellharbour Hospital site at Dunmore, waiting to be christened.
The arrival of the first of two cranes to be in place until next year marks a major milestone in the delivery of the seven-storey hospital, according to NSW Health Minister and Keira MP Ryan Park.
To celebrate the project’s first crane arrival, primary school students are being invited to take part in a Name the Crane competition.
Two names will be selected, one for each crane, with the winning name to be displayed on the huge structures.
Mr Park said he was looking forward to seeing work on the site progress in coming months as the new hospital comes to life.
“The cranes will be a familiar local landmark on the hospital site as they support construction, meaning the local community is a step closer to accessing state-of-the-art health services and facilities, closer to home,” he said.
Construction is progressing on-site, with 540 piles recently drilled and filled with concrete to form the hospital’s foundation.
The new hospital will feature:
- An expanded emergency department
- Specialised elective surgery, rehabilitation and aged care services
- Acute medical services
- Mental health
- Renal dialysis
- Outpatient care
- Car parking and improved public transport links.
It is expected to be completed in 2027.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the construction work would support about 800 direct jobs and many more once the hospital opened.
“It’s fantastic to see construction moving forward, not only creating local jobs but also ensuring the Illawarra community will soon have access to a world-class healthcare facility.
“The Name the Crane competition is a great way to connect young people with the new hospital and I encourage all primary school students to get involved.”
Students can submit a coloured-in entry form, along with a brief explanation of their crane name choice.
The colouring-in sheet can be downloaded from the New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project website, with the completed entry emailed to [email protected]. Entries close on Friday 2 May.
The winning students will receive an iPad and be invited to the official crane naming ceremony including a photo opportunity with the flag of their chosen name to be hoisted above the crane.
