Multiplex Tops out Canberra Hospital Expansion

28 March 2023

Premier global construction company Multiplex has reached a major milestone on the Canberra Hospital Expansion project, ‘topping out’ the nine-level Critical Services Building.

An event was held on the new rooftop helipad some 35 metres above street level, with Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, joining Multiplex and Major Projects Canberra to mark the milestone, which signifies when a building reaches its highest point.

The Canberra Hospital Expansion is the largest healthcare infrastructure project ever undertaken by the ACT Government. It will meet the growing healthcare needs of the region with increased capacity across adult intensive care, paediatric intensive care, surgical, coronary care and emergency services.  

It will also support the ACT Government’s ambitions for an emissions-free health sector, with the hospital to be powered entirely by 100% renewable electricity.

“Multiplex began a collaborative Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase in 2020 where we worked with the ACT Government to fine-tune a design that would support their carbon ambitions and the wider community,” said Multiplex Regional Managing Director David Ghannoum.

“It’s been wonderful to help bring that design to life and reach this significant milestone, particularly given the challenges presented by working within a live hospital environment, with limited access and the added impacts of COVID-19.”

According to Multiplex, approximately 500 jobs have been created over the life of the project.

“Multiplex is targeting a 5-star Design and As Built Green Star rating and has utilised low-carbon concrete and all-electric power for its two cranes. The low carbon concrete alone has eliminated more than 2,000 tonnes of embodied CO2 on the project to date, the equivalent of carbon removed by more than 30,000 tree seedlings grown over 10 years.”

The Canberra Hospital Expansion is expected to complete construction in mid 2024.

Multiplex has extensive health sector experience having delivered the new Maitland Hospital, Central Acute Services Building at Westmead, and the University of Canberra Public Hospital in recent years. It is also currently delivering the John Hunter Heath and Innovation Precinct .