Momentum steps up this week on the critical redevelopment of Nelson Hospital. Council and I are doing all we can to progress this half-billion-dollar project as quickly as possible and ensure Nelson gets a high-quality hospital for the region’s future.
Construction of the new 28-bed modular temporary inpatient unit begins today after consents were issued by Council. It will ease bed pressures, improve inpatient flow and provide the bed capacity to enable strengthening work on the existing tower blocks. Fitzgerald Construction is building the inpatient unit offsite in Stoke to enable faster delivery and completion this year.
It is to be located to the left of the main hospital entrance, in front of the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit. The internal road that links the smaller carpark off Franklyn Street with the larger public carpark near the main entrance will be closed this week to enable foundation and infrastructure works to begin. Carpark spaces will be reallocated. Pedestrian walkways and the shuttle buggy will be rerouted.
The hospital team is also presenting today to Council’s Urban Design Panel on the new six-storey 128-bed permanent inpatient building that includes a new rooftop helipad. It is to be located on the Motueka Street side of the main hospital building. We are working closely with Health NZ on the resource and building consenting for what will be the largest structure to be built in Nelson in decades. Groundworks will begin later this year, and completion is due in 2029. Construction will also start this year on a new carparking building on the Tipahi Street-Franklyn Street corner of the site.
Council has also been working with Health NZ on maximising the use of gas from the York Valley Landfill. The deal enabled the hospital last year to demolish its coal chimney. It gives the hospital secure energy, Council income from the sale of the gas and the environment benefits from less emissions. We need to continue to work with the hospital team on win-win opportunities like this from the redevelopment.
I’m pleased to see this work ramping up. The redevelopment of Nelson Hospital is the most important infrastructure project for our city this decade.
