Wollongong Hospital ESSA
- Sector — Health & Life Sciences
- Client — Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- Division — Live Environments
- Location — Wollongong
- Status — Complete
- Value - 5.9 mil
The works involved the construction of a new purpose-built Emergency Short Stay Unit adjacent to the existing Emergency Department, increasing treatment capacity from 10 to 16 patient spaces for short stay admissions between 4 and 24 hours. Located on the ground floor of the hospital, the new facility was carefully designed to support operational efficiency and patient wellbeing, incorporating a radial floorplan with patient bays positioned around the perimeter and centralised staff stations enabling passive observation, streamlined workflows and improved clinical response times. Internal finishes, materials and glazing selections were designed to create a calm, naturally lit healthcare environment while maintaining the durability and functionality required within a critical care setting.
Delivered within a live operational hospital environment, the project required detailed staging, services coordination and interface management to minimise disruption to staff, patients and emergency department operations. Early civil, structural and services works included excavation and earthworks for pad footings, sewer infrastructure upgrades, relocation of existing clashing services, high-level services rough-ins and corridor fire-rating works. Structural steel installation, substructure construction and extension slab works were carefully sequenced alongside ongoing hospital operations and constrained site conditions.
The project also involved extensive coordination of underground and above-ground services infrastructure, including sewer trench modifications, concrete removals, wet area preparation and new services integration within an operational healthcare precinct. External envelope works, framing and brickwork were delivered in parallel with internal construction activities to maintain programme continuity and support staged completion requirements.
The redevelopment has significantly enhanced emergency department capability at Wollongong Hospital, supporting improved patient outcomes, increased operational efficiency and greater healthcare capacity for the growing Illawarra region.
