A State-significant proposal to expand Lake Macquarie Private Hospital at Gateshead marks the first step towards creating a next-generation health precinct for the Hunter Region.
The planning proposal for the Ramsay Health site at Gateshead outlines a blueprint to rezone the site and increase building height limits from 10 metres to 37 metres at its northern end to allow for a 10-storey hospital building.
The new tower will house surgery theatres, car parking and consulting suites and increase capacity from 187 beds to 248 beds. The hospital’s main entrance will move from Sydney Street at the southern end of the site to Casey Street at its northern end. Critical care, intensive care and an enhanced 24-hour emergency department, radiology and oncology services will also be provided.
Council endorsed the Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Planning Proposal at the Ordinary Council meeting on Monday 24 April 2023. Now endorsed, this planning proposal will enable the NSW Government to lodge a State Significant Development (SSD) Application in 2023. Additional car parking will be proposed in the SSD Application.
If approved, the hospital expansion is expected to create 800-1000 direct and flow-on jobs during construction, and almost 200 once complete.