An early render of the proposed Northside Hospital. Image: ACT Government.
The ACT Government wants a clear pathway for the more than $1 billion Northside Hospital project, proposing it be declared a Territory Priority Project.
If accepted, this will mean third-party appeals will be banned.
It has opened a 15-day consultation period on the proposal, officially made by Infrastructure Canberra.
The declaration would recognise the project’s significance in delivering critical healthcare infrastructure to support Canberra’s growing population, the government said.
Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Chris Steel will decide whether to make it a TPP.
He will assess whether the hospital proposal constitutes significant infrastructure that would achieve a major government policy outcome of significant benefit to the people of the ACT, and achieve the desired planning outcomes.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the government aims to commence construction of the new hospital during this term.
“The Northside Hospital Project is a major ACT Government commitment to develop a modern, integrated health precinct that will expand emergency, surgical and inpatient services for the northside community,” she said.
“The project will deliver a new state-of-the-art hospital in Canberra’s north, which will provide care for Canberrans for decades to come, helping to meet the growing demand for public healthcare driven by population growth, an ageing community, and evolving health needs.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the project would be the largest investment in healthcare infrastructure in the Territory’s history, with more than $1 billion provisioned and design work well underway following previous community consultation.
Early and enabling works were planned to prepare the site for future development.
These include diversion and realignment of existing services infrastructure, relocation of key facilities such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) services, and a childcare centre, as well as demolition work.
There would be further opportunities for the community to contribute to the design and construction phases through future planning processes after consultation on the TPP declaration.
Earlier in the year, Multiplex, which built the Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital, was chosen as the early delivery partner for the project.
Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development Chris Steel urged the community and other stakeholders to have their say on the proposed declaration.
“If declared, the project would be exempt from third-party appeals,” he said.
“I would like to hear the community’s views on the proposal through comments to the Territory Planning Authority, which I will consider before I make a decision on the declaration.”
Comments close on 27 November. To learn more, visit ACT Planning.
