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.
Stage 2 of the Redevelopment is progressing well as follows:
- Enabling and demolition works are complete (Oct 2025).
- Public exhibition of the Review of Environmental Factors held (Jan-Feb 2026).
- Hansen Yuncken appointed as the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) building partner and finalising designs in preparation for construction.
Further details will be made public once timelines are confirmed and the main works contract is awarded.
News and updates
Expressions of Interest open for Arts Working Group
Community members from the Manning area are being invited to register their interest to be part of the Arts Working Group for Stage 2 of the Manning Hospital Redevelopment, to help shape the arts and culture within the new health facilities.
Manning Redevelopment Stage 2 demolition works complete
Demolition works on the Manning Hospital Redevelopment are now complete, including the demolition of the administration building, mortuary and old feverward, and relocating two bulk oxygen tanks. The existing hoarding will remain in place around property boundaries on York Street, Commerce Street and High Street. The wire mesh fencing will also be retained to keep the site contained. The 18 car park spaces which were closed for the site compound will be available until the next stage of construction commences.
Project team updates the community
Taree and surrounding residents took the opportunity to learn more about the second stage of the Manning Hospital Redevelopment at community pop-up sessions on 30 July.
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 redevelopment will feature a new clinical services building with inpatient units, a Close Observation Unit to support cardiac patients and a new mortuary, pharmacy and pathology spaces, along with enhanced connections to the existing hospital building.
The design includes the construction of an additional level to allow for the future expansion of health services and a contemporary and functional façade that reflects the local area and connects with country.
Landscaping and external patient spaces will also be delivered, aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, staff, and visitors.
Project timeline
Building a hospital involves 3 key phases – planning, design and delivery.
Planning
| January 2022 | Master plan launched. |
| January 2025 | Review of Environmental Factors on public exhibition for demolition works. |
| February 2026 | Review of Environmental Factors on public exhibition for planning application. |
Design
| July 2022 | Orignal Concept design launched. |
| 2023 | Original Schematic and detailed designs completed. |
| July 2025 | Revised design announced. |
| February 2026 | Revised design announced. |
Delivery
| Early 2025 | Demolition works to begin on administration building, mortuary and old fever ward. |
| October 2025 | Demolition works completed |
Frequently asked questions
The $40 million Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 1 was completed in June 2020 and delivered:
• enhanced 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.
Planning on a proposal for a health service model in Forster-Tuncurry is progressing and forms part of the Lower Mid North Coast Health Service Project. Updates will be shared once available. A range of options are being carefully considered with multiple stakeholders to ensure the service is equitable, accessible, safe and patient‑centred for the Forster–Tuncurry community.
This is a locally and regionally important redevelopment. Planning and design of the new health service is a collaborative process involving consultation with clinicians, staff, patient groups, local stakeholders and the community.
There is a range of ways to engage with the project and these are announced as the project progresses, including opportunity to view and provide feedback at key stages.
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