Nepean Redevelopment Project Zone update April 2026

Community preview new Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit

 On Saturday 14 March, the community were invited to attend a public open day to preview the new Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

The purpose-built unit will provide specialist mental healthcare to young people aged 12-17 years in the Penrith and Blue Mountains region.

Almost 100 people walked through the main entry and toured the light-filled communal area, courtyards, sensory room, inpatient rooms, learning and recreational spaces and carers suite.

The unit’s design is the result of thoughtful collaboration with young people, their families, and carers, ensuring the environment is able to provide the best care to meet their unique needs.

The new unit was delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program and will open following an operational commissioning period to ensure the facility and staff are equipped and ready to deliver patient care.

Year 10 Kingswood High School students tour new Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit

On the 17 March, Year 10 maths students from Kingswood High school toured the new Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

It was a great opportunity for the students to return to the unit after completing a maths project on on the new unit and visiting the site during construction last year.

During their tour, the students said they particularly enjoyed the quiet courtyard, the sensory room and the varied seating options in the communal area.

The students previously participated in a ‘Maths in Health’ design project where they presented their ideas on how to design and build a welcoming and sustainable Nepean Adolescent Mental Health Unit.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed being on this journey with the students from the local Kingswood High School.

A new family room for Nepean hospital's mortuary

 A new family room has opened at Nepean Hospital’s mortuary which is set to better support loved ones in a more thoughtfully designed and compassionate space.

To find out more, we spoke to mortuary technician David Humphries who has worked in the hospital’s mortuary for 12 years.  

The new family room features several seats, welcoming artwork and a small kitchenette for tea and coffee.

David said it’s an important space where families can be together.

“If someone feels overwhelmed, they can take a moment in the family room without having to walk back out into a busy corridor,” David said.  

“It also gives families a safe place to be together, gather their thoughts and support one another.”

David said the new family room was necessary to support larger families.  

 Stage 2 powers ahead with facade now complete

Exciting progress continues at the Nepean Redevelopment site with the facade complete following the final facade panels being installed this week.

On Level 6, floor vinyl has been laid in the paediatrics department which paves the way for the joinery pieces to be installed that will form areas such as nurses stations, staff seating areas and inclusive spaces for patients.

On Level 4, final touches such as feature paint, joinery for workstations, and room labelling are being applied to the clinical support space. This space provides desks, breakout areas and meeting rooms for clinical teams.

Externally, upgrades continue on Barber Ave in preparation for opening up the new loop road that will deliver patients and visitors to the new main entrance of the hospital.

Work has also begun on extending the covered walkway that will guide patients and visitors from the P1 carpark to the hospital. This covered walkway will feature an engaging Aboriginal artwork that will connect the hospital to the local community.

Construction is due for completion in late 2026. This will be followed by an operational commissioning period to prepare the new building to welcome staff and patients.