$30M Health Hub proposed for Gosford

An artist's impression of the proposed Health Hub

 A new $30M state-of-the-art Health Hub has been proposed for Showground Rd adjacent to Gosford Hospital.

As demand for healthcare clinicians on the Central Coast continues to rise at rapid rates, Cornerstone Group will seek approval from Central Coast Council for the development of a state-of-the-art health building.

Cornerstone Group Managing Director, Simon Heazlewood, said recent research by Colliers International uncovered data showing that on the Central Coast, demand for several health professions, including medical oncologists, paediatricians, and cardiologists would skyrocket by 2040.

“Over the next two decades it’s predicted the region will require an increase of more than 350 per cent for medical oncologists, 83 per cent more paediatricians and an 84 per cent increase in the cardiologists required,” Heazlewood said.

“These statistics are staggering and a real reason for concern for the local community.

“Our hope is that in building the Gosford Health Hub, we offer a state-of-the-art space to attract these specialists to the region to respond to this escalating demand.”

Heazlewood said the Hub, strategically positioned adjacent to the hospital, would create a thriving precinct to expand the region’s health service offering and attract the relocation of key health-related services in the area.

“We expect the Hub will include primary, secondary and tertiary health services including GP practices, diagnostic imaging, pharmacies and specialist and allied health consulting rooms,” he said.

“We have designed the building to achieve Class 9a healthcare building classification under the National Construction Code (NCC) so there is also scope for the establishment of a day procedure unit, radiation oncology, medical oncology, a fertility services provider, research clinicians, and High Care Specialist Disability Accommodation.”

Heazlewood said the project would also deliver jobs for the region, with approximately 150 construction jobs and 200 health care staff to be employed at the completed facility.

“As with all our Health Hub projects, Cornerstone Group alongside Cornerstone Healthcare Fund Manager (CHFM) will complete the whole process from acquisition of the site, design of the state-of-the-art facility through to construction and remaining involved as the building owner on completion,” he said.

The Health Hub — built on a 2,432m² lot — would include 7,200m² of lettable space consisting of a level for medical retail, four levels of operational health care tenancies, medical consultation suites and a top floor containing one and two bedroom SDA Housing apartments.

The application process for the project has been a complicated one.

Cornerstone Group National Acquisitions and Investment Manager, Josh Peacock, said the group had first mooted the proposal to Central Coast Council in August last year.

“Because the project site is located in the Gosford City Centre Masterplan area, we were asked to liaise with the Gosford City Centre Design Review Group in formulating an official application,” he said.

“We gave a presentation to the group, which includes three architects and representatives from Council and the NSW Planning Department, in August and have since had two workshops.

“On February 16, the Design Group advised that it supports the concept and we are hoping to submit a formal Development Application next week.”

Once the DA, with supplementary reports, is received by Council, it will be referred to the Planning Department for assessment.

“We have been told the project will be fast tracked and hope to have approval by midway through the year,” Peacock said.

This would see construction commencing by the end of 2022, with an estimated completion date of early 2024.

Terry Collins