Project overview
24 View St, Cessnock NSW 2325
Health Infrastructure, in partnership with Hunter New England Local Health District, is redeveloping Cessnock Hospital.
The $138 million project will deliver modern, state-of-the-art facilities to meet the Cessnock community’s healthcare needs now and in the future.
The redevelopment will meet required capacity, enhance models of care, and create a safe, welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Construction began in June 2025 and is expected to be complete in late 2027, with the new facilities opening following the completion of operational commissioning in 2028.
Cessnock Hospital will remain fully open to patients throughout the redevelopment, with minimal disruption expected for staff, patients and visitors.
News and updates
Calling local artists: Help shape the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for art commissions in the new acute services building, with opportunities for artists to contribute works that will help create calming, uplifting spaces for patients, families, and staff.
Artwork by Kevin Vo at Liverpool Hospital.
Breaking ground: Construction begins at Cessnock Hospital
Construction is now officially underway on the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, with a ceremonial sod-turn event held on Tuesday 17 June 2025.
Major step forward as builder named for Cessnock Hospital project
The Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment is another step closer with a builder appointed to deliver main works construction.
Project information
Benefits
The project will:
- Meet the growing and changing healthcare needs of the local community.
- Support modern models of care, including integrated care for older residents with chronic illnesses.
- Enable virtual care.
- Strengthen the network of health services in the Lower Hunter region.
- Improve staff and patient flow for better efficiency.
- Provide culturally appropriate facilities.
- Create a safe and welcoming work environment to attract and support staff.
Scope
The project includes construction of a new 2-storey acute services building on the Cessnock Hospital campus, featuring:
- An expanded emergency department.
- Operating theatres and day surgery spaces.
- Two new inpatient wards with single and 2-bed rooms, each with an ensuite.
- A sterilising services unit.
- A new medical imaging service.
- A modern pharmacy.
There will be improved access across the hospital campus and car parks, with new entry points, demolition of disused buildings, asphalt resurfacing and new lighting.
The project will deliver new infrastructure to support the implementation of improved models of care, meeting the community’s needs now and in the future.
A master plan is created early in the planning process. It provides a high-level framework for locating clinical services on-site and guiding hospital expansion and refurbishment to meet future needs.
The plan also considers how people will travel to and from the hospital, how it will connect to infrastructure and essential services, and how the hospital campus will function after the redevelopment.
The Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment master plan was updated in April 2024. Hunter New England Local Health District and Health Infrastructure worked with hospital staff, patients, stakeholder groups, and the local community to ensure the redevelopment will meet the community’s healthcare needs.
Concept design
The concept designs for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment were released on 30 April 2024.
Staff, stakeholders, and the community were invited to review the designs and provide feedback, which helped shape the next stage of the design.
Schematic design
The artist’s impressions and floor plans below were released on 30 October 2024. Staff and community information sessions provided more details on the designs and invited further feedback from the community.
Schematic designs detail the layout of each department in the new acute services building. This stage of the design process was developed with input from staff and feedback from stakeholders and the community.
Project timeline
Building a hospital involves 3 key phases – planning, design and delivery.
Planning
| 2023 | Project announced and planning commenced |
| 2024 | Community invited to provide feedback |
| 2024 | Master plan updated |
| 2025 | Project placed on public exhibition |
| 2025 | Planning approval |
Design
| 2023 | Concept design commenced |
| 2024 | Concept design released for feedback |
| 2024 | Schematic design released for feedback |
| 2025 | Designs placed on public exhibition |
| 2025 | Design finalisation commenced with main works contractor |
Delivery
Hansen Yuncken was appointed to deliver the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment in May 2025 following a competitive tender process. This milestone followed planning approval, informed by valuable community feedback during the planning and design phases.
Construction officially commenced in June 2025, marked by a ceremonial sod-turn event attended by the Minister for Health, Member for Cessnock, Aboriginal Elders, Hunter New England Health staff and project team members.
The new hospital facilities are expected to be completed in late 2027, with patients to be welcomed into the upgraded spaces following operational commissioning in 2028.
Cessnock Hospital will remain fully operational throughout construction, with minimal disruption anticipated for staff, patients and visitors.
Community engagement and culture
Engaging with the community is essential to ensure health facilities are designed to meet local needs now and into the future.
Community feedback has played a key role in shaping the design of the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, with extensive consultation carried out during the master planning, concept, and schematic design phases.
We sincerely thank the Cessnock community for their time, insights and involvement in the project so far. Future opportunities to be part of the redevelopment will be shared on this website and through our project e-newsletters.
If you have any questions or feedback, email the project team at HI-Cessnock@health.nsw.gov.au
Connecting with Country
From the early stages of planning for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, the project team has engaged closely with local Wonnarua Elders and community members.
Involving Traditional Custodians in the design and development of the hospital is vital to ensuring the new facilities are culturally safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all members of the community.
In 2023, the project team joined local Elders and community representatives for a Walk on Country across Wonnarua lands. This immersive experience has helped guide the cultural vision for the redevelopment, informing how Country is reflected in both planning and design.
In 2024, the Connecting with Country Working Group was formally established. The group includes Wonnarua Elders, Aboriginal community representatives, members of the HNELHD Aboriginal Health team, and the redevelopment project team.
The Working Group has played an active role throughout the design process, providing valuable input into creating culturally safe spaces, shaping the project's arts program, and advising on landscaping and dual-language signage.
The group is also guiding the incorporation of cultural protocols into key project milestones, including the official start of works and early site preparation activities.
We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Wonnarua community throughout construction and as the Arts in Health program evolves, ensuring culture and connection to Country remain at the heart of the redevelopment.
According to Wonnarua Dreaming, the Hunter Valley was created by the great spirit Baime (Byamee). Before Baime, the land was asleep. Baime awoke and created all living things, including Kawal (Ka-wal) - a guardian spirit of the Wonnarua people whose presence is embodied in the wedge-tailed eagle, seen across the Hunter Valley.
Arts in Health
The Arts in Health program brings creativity into NSW Health projects by integrating artistic elements into healthcare environments. This approach enriches public health spaces and supports the wellbeing of patients, staff, and visitors.
The Arts in Health Working Group for the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment was established in 2024. The group includes hospital staff as well as representatives from local creative and Aboriginal communities, ensuring a rich mix of voices and cultural perspectives guide the project’s artistic direction.
Together, the group has developed an Arts Strategy that identifies three priority areas within the hospital for artistic integration. These spaces are designed to be vibrant points of connection—celebrating creativity, reflecting local identity, and fostering a sense of belonging.
With a strong focus on participation, integration, and connection, the program aims to create a hospital environment that feels welcoming, inclusive, and uniquely Cessnock.
We look forward to engaging both established and emerging artists in this journey—whether your passion lies in visual arts, installations, or cultural works that reflect the spirit of the local community.
Opportunities to participate in the Arts in Health program will be promoted as they arise. To learn more or express your interest, please contact us at HI-Arts@health.nsw.gov.au
Contact our project team
For more information about the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, contact the project team at HI-Cessnock@health.nsw.gov.au
Subscribe to receive regular project email updates.