Today, the Minister of Health turned the first sod on the new 128-bed inpatient building marking a significant milestone in the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment project. This will be the largest building constructed in Nelson in over 50 years at 11,000 square metres and is being funded from the $500+ million announced in Budget ‘25.
Hundreds of tradespeople will be needed to construct and fit out this building that is expected to be operational in 2030. The existing Percy Brunette and George Manson tower blocks, 6,400 square metres and 4,900 square metres respectively, are also being strengthened and refurbished as part of the overall development.
This six-storey inpatient building on the Motueka Street side of the existing hospital will include modern inpatient wards with an equal split of one and two-bed rooms, all with ensuites, as well as assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services and other clinical support services. It will provide fit-for-purpose hospital facilities to support quality healthcare for patients for generations to come.
Council has been working closely with the Health NZ team on the project to meet consenting requirements, with our Urban Design Panel advising on the design earlier this year.
The other key milestone underway this week is the transporting and lifting into place of seven modules to form the 28-bed Interim Inpatient Unit on the Franklyn Street side of the main building that will be completed later this year. These modules, premanufactured by Fitzgerald Construction in Nayland Road, will provide additional inpatient capacity while the wider Nelson Hospital Redevelopment progresses.
These works sit alongside the $10.6 million expansion of the Emergency Department completed in April this year. Many older buildings across the site have been demolished. Council concluded a long-term deal to supply York Valley Landfill gas to the hospital last year enabling the demolition of the coal furnace chimney.
A new 270-space multi-level parking building is to be built off Tipahi Street that will provide about 100 more parks. Its construction begins next year with completion in 2028.
Council identified the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital as our top priority project with Government. We welcome this positive progress.
