Women are playing a key role in the construction of the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, representing around 13 per cent of the project’s workforce. The project is currently exceeding NSW Government targets aimed at increasing the number of women in the construction industry.
The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is participating in the Women in Construction (WiC) focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (ISLP) which is trialing increased targets for women in construction to boost skills, capability, and capacity in the construction industry and increase diversity on building sites. The Women in Construction focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (WiC-ISLP) is one of four key priorities being delivered under the Minns Labor Government’s $20.2 million Women in Construction Program.
The $438 million hospital redevelopment, being delivered by main works contractor John Holland, is one of eight Health Infrastructure NSW projects with a dedicated WiC ISLP officer embedded on site to support the employment, upskilling, and retention of women in the construction sector.
To date, women in trades and construction roles represent 10 per cent of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment’s workforce, exceeding the NSW Governments trial target of 4 per cent of women working in trade-based roles.
Women working on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment are contributing across a wide range of roles including Project Director, electrician, carpenter, safety coordinator, architects and engineers.
The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will become the health hub for the region, providing most emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute, and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.
Construction of the new Acute Services Building is expected to be completed in 2026.
Health Infrastructure is delivering the project in partnership with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. The project is supported by John Holland as the main works contractor and Program Manager, Johnstaff.
