Frequently Asked Questions

The NSW Government is investing $479 million in the redevelopment of Ryde Hospital to meet the future health needs of the community.

The redevelopment will replace the ageing infrastructure and expand the clinical services to support the growing population in the Ryde Hospital catchment.

Health Infrastructure (HI), in conjunction with the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), is delivering the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment on behalf of the NSW Government.

An Integrated Project Team, made up of HI, NSLHD, project managers, architects and a range of specialist consultants is managing the planning, design and delivery of the project.

Building on existing services, the $479 million Ryde Hospital Redevelopment will include:

  • A new expanded, integrated and enhanced emergency department
  • A new and expanded medical imaging department
  • A new expanded and enhanced intensive care unit
  • New expanded and enhanced operating theatres and procedure rooms
  • More adult overnight inpatient beds
  • A new purpose-built ambulatory care centre
  • A new paediatric short stay unit 
  • Expanded and enhanced surgical/endoscopy day‑only spaces
  • Associated clinical and non-clinical support services including pharmacy, pathology, food, environmental, linen and supply services
  • Contemporary education, training and research to strengthen tertiary partnerships
  • Improved accessibility to the campus including internal roads, urban spaces, landscaping and wayfinding, and engineering and ICT service.

The redevelopment will make best use of the current services available at the Ryde campus, including the Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre and historic Denistone House.

Among a range of benefits, the redevelopment of Ryde Hospital will meet the needs of staff, consumers and the community by: 
  • transforming the health facilities for Ryde and surrounding suburbs, ensuring people can get the appropriate care they need close to home
  • enabling Ryde to have a state-of the-art hospital, meeting the long-term needs of the community
  • implementing new models of care to ensure patients are receiving the best possible health services
  • enabling Ryde to have a technologically advanced facility, using technology to enhance the delivery of healthcare, and 
  • strengthening key academic relationships with tertiary providers to bring about a range of opportunities including clinical placements, teaching and research.

The State Significant Development Application (SSDA) process is the formal planning approval pathway for major infrastructure developments valued at $30 million and above, such as the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment.

The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment is being assessed and approved by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) under a two-staged planning process.

The first SSDA (concept design and early works) was approved for:

  • the size and scale of the redevelopment
  • the early construction works:
    • demolition of buildings within the footprint of the redevelopment 
    • site preparation works
    • relocation and upgrades of in-ground services (e.g. electrical and gas connections).

The second SSDA (detailed design and main works) seeks approval for:

  • detailed design of the new hospital buidlings, including the façade detailing, public spaces and site access
  • additional car parking
  • main demolition works
  • main construction works.

The design of the redeveloped hospital follows engagement with the local community, clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, Aboriginal health services and stakeholder groups, as well as feedback from staff and consumers.

Engagement has included online and face to face methods at various stages of the project as well as a Consumer Reference Group (CRG) made up of community representatives. The CRG was established as part of the project governance early in the project and meets monthly to form a link between the redevelopment team and community. This helps ensure consumer feedback is continually considered as part of the redevelopment.

The redeveloped hospital will include a multi storey building wrapped around the back of Denistone House. Artist impressions can be found on the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment website: rydehospitalredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au

Heritage components of the existing Ryde Hospital will remain. The redevelopment will make the historic Denistone House visible from Denistone Road via new public green space. The Stables will also be retained.

Yes. The redeveloped hospital will include:

  • parking accessible off Denistone Road which will include basement parking, and
  • other on-grade car parks off Ryedale Road and Denistone Road.
Yes. Changes to hospital car parking and traffic conditions on surrounding streets may be necessary at times. Patients and visitors are encouraged to allow enough time to find a park and/or make alternative travel arrangements to and from the hospital.

Most changes will be temporary and could include the partial closure of Hospital Road and loss of available car spaces. Signage and traffic controllers will be in place as needed.

Strategies to help minimise the impact on hospital parking include:
  • Encouraging construction workers to use public transport to access the hospital.
  • Providing temporary alternative off-site parking for Ryde Hospital staff.
  • Managing construction traffic into and out of work zones.
  • Making sure workers stand their vehicles within approved areas.

Traffic studies have been completed to provide information about existing traffic conditions on Denistone Road, Ryedale Road and surrounding streets. 

A Construction Traffic and Pedestrian Management Plan will be prepared before construction starts to outline measures to be taken to ensure public safety. The plan includes construction vehicle movements and traffic control procedures. 

Disruption to staff, visitors and the community will be minimised by:

  • Encouraging construction workers to use public transport to access the hospital.
  • Moving materials within the site boundary where possible.
  • Managing the movement of large vehicles such as cranes and trucks when entering and exiting the hospital to minimise impacts, including having off site holding zones when required.
  • Placing traffic controllers onsite where required.
  • Providing temporary alternative off-site parking for Ryde Hospital staff.
Ryde Hospital will remain operational throughout the redevelopment. 

The project’s construction has been split into a number of stages of main works.

The early works are preliminary works to prepare the site for the main works. Early works started in February 2023 and are due to finish in late 2023. The main works contract is expected to be awarded in late 2023 with construction activities staged until project completion.

The redevelopment team is committed to ensuring work is completed safely and efficiently.

The site will be subject to air quality monitoring and noise and dust will be appropriately managed throughout construction in accordance with the consent conditions. 

Noise levels on site will be managed in accordance with the noise control guidelines that are outlined in the EPA Environmental Noise Control Manual for construction and demolition works. Noise will be kept to a minimum as best as possible during the construction period. 

The redevelopment team will endeavour to provide advance notice of work to the local community, particularly when anticipating high noise generating works.

The permitted hours of work will be confirmed through the SSDA approval process. Out of hours work will be planned and impacts will be communicated prior to the start of any out of hours work.
Yes. Asbestos containing material is present on the Ryde Hospital site with all known and suspected asbestos recorded in the hospital’s asbestos registers. The removal of asbestos containing material is common in buildings built before the 1990s including in roofing, guttering, vinyl flooring, wall sheeting and many other products. Licensed specialists will remove the material before demolition works start and follow all controls required by Australian legislation. The health, safety and well-being of staff, patients and the community is our highest priority.

The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment team is implementing protection measures to reduce the hospital’s potential bushfire risk. This includes engaging a qualified bush regeneration specialist to create an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) within the Blue Gum High Forest.
 
The establishment of the APZ will act as a buffer between the hospital and potential bush fire hazard and be established and maintained by removing non-native plant species and weeds.
 
Added benefits of the APZ include restoring the forest to its natural state and improving the unique biodiversity and ecosystem.  
 
The Northern Sydney Local Health District will manage and care for the forest and APZ upon completion of the redevelopment.  

The redevelopment team is aware of the importance of working with the topography of the land and preserving existing trees onsite. Some trees and shrubs within the hospital grounds will be removed to accommodate the new buildings and upgrades, as per the development application. The redevelopment team is committed to providing an increase in green space and number of trees. Trees within the Blue Gum High Forest will remain. 

The design of the redeveloped hospital has considered world-class sustainable features and efficient building methods to meet 5-star Green Star equivalency. 

Environmental sustainability initiatives included in the design are 100% electrification, a green roof garden, electric vehicle infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, photovoltaics and waste management facilities.

The safety of staff, patients and the community is our highest priority. 

Safety measures will be in place to separate the construction site from hospital areas. There will be no access to the construction area by staff, patients or the community and the redevelopment team will regularly consult with the hospital executive team to discuss construction progress.

There are several ways in which you can have your say on the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment:
  • Feedback, suggestions or comments can be made to the team via email or phone rydehospitalredev@health.nsw.gov.au or 02 9978 5411. 
  • Visit our website to sign up to our newsletter rydehospitalredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.
  • During exhibition periods, formal submissions can be made via DPE’s major projects planning portal planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/ryde-hospital-redevelopment. The submissions and documents are available for viewing at all times once lodged.
  • The redevelopment team will host face-to-face and online sessions at various stages throughout the project to allow staff and community members to drop in and ask questions. Consultation dates and times will be advertised via the project website, database and other channels.