Project overview
Dean St, North Tamworth NSW 2340
Connected to Tamworth Hospital, Tamworth Mental Health Unit (Banksia) will expand capacity, improve care environments and support recovery through a community-focused approach.
The unit is part of the NSW Government's $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program (SWMHIP), designed to support mental health care reform across New South Wales.
News and updates
Farewell to 'Lofty' the crane
Known as ‘Lofty’, the 31-metre-high tower crane, which supported construction for the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit, is due to be dismantled and removed.
Major milestone for mental health
Enhanced mental health care is just around the corner for Tamworth thanks to a major construction milestone, with the three-storey building structure of the new unit now complete.
Weaving workshops for new unit
The Tamworth community has been getting involved with the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit, with Gamilaroi woman Amy Hammond running a series of butterfly weaving workshops for artwork that will feature in the new unit.
Project information
Benefits
The project will:
- Provide welcoming, comfortable, safe and supportive facilities for people who need mental health care.
- Provide an increase in available inpatient mental health beds in the area.
- As part of SWMHIP, it will help to address gaps and bed blockages in the mental health system that limit the implementation of therapeutic models of care to support recovery and provide greater opportunity for consumers to receive care in the community.
Scope
The project will include:
- 4 adolescent inpatient beds
- 20-bed adult area, as well as a 5-bed adult high-acute area
- 8-bed older persons’ area.
All services currently provided by the Banksia Unit will be available in the new facility, which is a contemporary, modern building physically connected to Tamworth Hospital.
People with lived experience of mental illness have actively contributed to the design of the new unit. Ongoing consultation with key staff, carers, consumers, clinicians and the general community has ensured a design that meets the diverse needs of stakeholders.
Main building works started in March 2024 and construction is on track for completion at the end of 2025.
Project timeline
Building a hospital involves 3 key phases – planning, design and delivery.
| June 2022 | The NSW Government announced an additional $14.6 million in funding. |
June 2022 The NSW Government announced an additional $14.6 million in funding. |
| August 2023 | Detailed designs released. |
August 2023 Detailed designs released. |
| February 2024 | Builder Hansen Yuncken appointed. |
| April 2024 | Construction commenced. |
February 2024 Builder Hansen Yuncken appointed. |
April 2024 Construction commenced. |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There will be a total of 37 beds in the new mental health unit, 12 more than in the Banksia facility (4 adolescent, 20 adult, 5 high acuity and 8 older persons).
People with lived experience of mental illness have been involved in co-designing the new mental health unit. Throughout the project, the project team has been consulting with key staff, carers and consumers with an existing connection to the services, as well as other staff, clinicians and the general community. The consultation ensures the views of all stakeholders are well represented.
Yes, the unit will continue to operate 24 hours per day.
Community and cultural engagement
Community and culture
Community and stakeholder consultation is a crucial part of planning to ensure the new mental health unit meets the needs of those who use it. We have consulted widely on the updated concept designs and, as a result, have formed two working groups: the Arts in Health Working Group and the Connecting with Country Working Group.
Arts in Health
Local Aboriginal artists have been chosen to produce unique artworks for the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit. Artwork will include sculptural works, large scale graphic artwork and incorporating Aboriginal language and cultural interpretation into way finding signage in the new unit.
Learn more about the Arts in Health program.
Related projects
Contact our project team
For more information about the Tamworth Mental Health Unit (Banksia) contact our project team at HI-Banksia@health.nsw.gov.au.