First images of $451 million Bunbury Regional Hospital redevelopment revealed

The first designs for the $451 million redevelopment of Bunbury Regional Hospital have been released by the State Government, with the South Western Times gaining exclusive access to the plans. The project will be undertaken by Multiplex Constructions and Perkins Joint Venture beginning in early 2025 and is set to be the biggest hospital redevelopment in regional West Australian history. Once complete, the hospital will have more medical and intensive care beds, an expanded emergency department and increased operating theatre capacity. The hospital will also be able to expand its maternity, birthing and neonatal services, tipped to be especially critical after the closure of the private St John of God Bunbury maternity ward in June. A mental health observation area and more mental health inpatient facilities will be included at the hospital, as well as new clinical equipment including sterilisation and support facilities. Aside from patient care, the redevelopment will include a new training, education and research centre — a first for regional Western Australia. Bunbury MLA Don Punch said the training facility would help up-skill the South West’s health sector. “The new training, education and research centre will help us attract and retain the best and brightest clinicians to regional WA, driving innovation in healthcare with a focus on rural and remote communities,” he said. “We’re future-proofing healthcare delivery for the people of Bunbury and the South West region. “It is really exciting to see this project moving forward and positioning the hospital to meet the needs of our growing community.” The hospital has not been immune to cost blowouts, however, with the State Government announcing in April the project would cost an additional $173 million from the initially budgeted $278 million. There is no completion date set with funding committed in this year’s budget thorough to the 2027-28 financial year. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said she was happy to see the designs available to the public. “I’m pleased to be able to share these design renders with the local communities, which offer a first look at the transformation taking place at Bunbury Regional Hospital,” she said. “With an investment of $451.1 million, this is by far the biggest redevelopment of a country hospital ever undertaken in Western Australia.”