Project overview
26 York St, Taree NSW 2430
The NSW Government is investing $180 million in the Lower Mid North Coast Health Service project, bringing together the Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2 and Forster-Tuncurry health facility projects.
Manning Hospital Redevelopment – Stage 1 is complete and delivered enhanced cancer care services, renal dialysis services, medical imaging services, a hospital car park reconfiguration, increased consultation spaces and a refurbished hospital main entrance.
News and updates
Builder appointed for enabling works
Work to deliver Manning Hospital's Stage 2 Redevelopment has taken a key step forward, with a builder appointed to deliver the enabling works to prepare the site for future construction.

Former nurses gather for reunion
Retired nurses who started their career at Manning Base Hospital returned recently to bid farewell to the old nurses’ quarters, as work progresses for the Manning Base Hospital Stage 2 redevelopment.

Project information
Benefits
The project will:
- Boost health services for communities across the lower Mid North Coast.
- Provide contemporary facilities to support best practice models of care.
- Provide patients, families and carers with contemporary facilities to meet the health needs of the community now and in the future.
- Improve access around Manning Base Hospital and better connectivity of services.
- Enable new and upgraded clinical facilities to be seamlessly integrated into the future.
Scope
The scope includes a new inpatient unit, including a six-bed Coronary Care Unit and new mortuary services.
Planning and design of the redevelopment is a collaborative process involving consultation with clinicians, staff, patient groups, local stakeholders and the community.
Opportunities for staff, community and stakeholder participation will be communicated as the redevelopment progresses.
The master plan for the Manning Base Hospital campus was unveiled in January 2022.
The master plan is a high-level map of the hospital site, which helps guide future growth and development of the facility. The master plan identifies the key elements of the hospital and how they best connect with each other.

The concept design for Stage 2 of the Manning Hospital redevelopment was unveiled in June 2022, showcasing a campus which supports the delivery of health services through better connections with patients, staff and community.
The redevelopment is designed around people, places and interaction. It delivers an environment which is more culturally respectful, provides connections to nature and natural light, and reflects the diversity of the community.
The concept design builds on the master plan for Manning Base Hospital.
Unveiled in January 2022, the master plan guides the development of the site, including how key existing and future elements of the hospital best connect with each other. The master plan provides a cohesive strategy for future development on the site – this means there will be capacity to enable new and upgraded clinical facilities to be integrated seamlessly.

Project timeline
Building a hospital involves 3 key phases – planning, design and delivery.
January 2022 | Master plan launched. |
January 2025 | Review of environmental factors on public exhibition for demolition works. |
January 2022 Master plan launched. |
January 2025 Review of environmental factors on public exhibition for demolition works. |
July 2022 | Concept design launched. |
2023 | Schematic and detailed designs completed. |
July 2022 Concept design launched. |
2023 Schematic and detailed designs completed. |
Early 2025 | Demolition works to begin on administration building, mortuary and old fever ward. |
Early 2025 Demolition works to begin on administration building, mortuary and old fever ward. |
Frequently asked questions
The $40 million Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 1 was completed in June 2020 and delivered:
• Eenhanced cancer care and renal dialysis services for the communities throughout the Lower Mid-North Coast
• a new patient and staff carpark improving parking facilities
• improved access for patients and clinical support areas
• new medical imaging floor, including MRI, CT, ultrasound and fluoroscopy
• refurbishment of the hospital main entry.
Work has been continuing on plans to upgrade health services in Forster-Tuncurry, with Hunter New England Local Health District consulting with key community stakeholders and staff as part of reviewing and updating the Lower Mid North Coast Clinical Services Plan.
This is a locally and regionally important redevelopment. Planning and design of the new health service will be a collaborative process involving consultation with clinicians, staff, patient groups, local stakeholders and the community. There will be a range of ways to engage with the project and these will be announced as the project progresses, including opportunity to view and provide feedback on the master plan and concept designs.
Project User Groups (PUGs) and key stakeholder working groups will also be established as the redevelopment progresses, providing further opportunity to get involved.
Stakeholders, health service staff and community members are encouraged to email the project team at: hi-manningforster@health.nsw.gov.au
Under the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APiC) policy, the building contractor will be required to create a minimum level of Aboriginal employment opportunity throughout the project delivery nominated as part of the tender process.
The redevelopment of Manning Hospital will deliver a boost to the Myall Lakes region including local jobs and increased activity for local businesses.
Contact the project team
For more information about the Lower Mid North Coast Health Service Project, contact the project team at: HI-manningforster@health.nsw.gov.au