Health Infrastructure
Community Newsletter Ryde Hospital Redevelopment
December 2025 – Year in review
Sarah Sullivan at the NAIDOC Week seedling collection
What a year it has been!
A message from Sarah Sullivan Redevelopment Manager, Ryde Hospital As we look back on an extraordinary year for the
impacts, staff have continued to prioritise patients while contributing invaluable insights that are helping to shape the new seven-storey Acute Services Building (ASB). I would also like to extend my gratitude to the patients, visitors and community. We know living near a major redevelopment has its challenges, but at the end we will have a modern, fit-for-purpose facility, providing staff and the Ryde community with a hospital of the future. Our progress this year would not be possible without the incredible contribution of our hospital workforce and the community. I remain inspired by the collaboration, goodwill, and problem-solving shown throughout the year and I am excited for what the redevelopment will deliver for staff, patients, and the community. We look forward to sharing the progress with you across the redevelopment journey in 2026. To learn more about the Redevelopment, include the project scope and benefits, visit the project website.
Ryde Hospital Redevelopment (RHR), I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the project team to all Ryde Hospital staff and the broader hospital community for their support, patience, and dedication throughout this time of major change.
With main works ramping up and detailed design almost complete, this year has brought exciting and visible changes along with its share of complexities. Through it all, we have been deeply grateful for the professionalism and resilience shown by staff across every part of the hospital in responding to the changing environment. From co-design workshops to staging moves, and temporary relocations to supporting onsite construction
nsw.gov.au/ryde-hospital-redevelopment
Name the crane winners and runners up with the RHR project team
Spotlight: Name the crane competition The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment team recently invited local children to unleash their creativity in the Name the Crane competition, and the response was phenomenal! Nearly 250 imaginative entries were submitted by children aged 2 to 12, all eager to help name the two tower cranes that will build the new building . After careful consideration by the four judges, the winning names were revealed: • ICU Up There , chosen by 9-year-old Layla Bahry, a clever play on words highlighting the hospital setting and the crane always being “up there.” • Blue Gum Giant , chosen by 4-year-old Sloane Hanrahan, inspired by the crane’s towering presence over the nearby Blue Gum High Forest. Ten finalists, including names like Dr Lifty, Mr Teapot, and The Healinator, were also recognised for their creativity. Finalists and their families joined the project team for a behind-the-scenes tour of the construction site, meeting project leaders, viewing the crane display, and learning how a hospital redevelopment comes to life. “Congratulations to our winners and finalists. This competition has been a wonderful way to celebrate community involvement while marking an exciting milestone in the redevelopment.” –Anthony Schembri, Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive
Name the Crane runner up
The winning names are proudly displayed on the cranes as they help construct the state-of-the-art building.
Attendees enjoying the crane display
Click to play or scan the QR code to watch the crane naming video!
Scan the QR code to read more about the competition.
Community engagement highlights for 2025
NAIDOC week celebrations The Ryde Hospital Redevelopment team proudly marked NAIDOC week, embracing this year’s theme, “The Next Generation – Strength, Vision, and Legacy”. Redevelopment team members, staff and community participated in a traditional smoking ceremony and creative activities, as well as transforming old hard hats into vibrant artworks under the guidance of Aboriginal artist, Darren Charlwood. The installation, featuring the colours of the Aboriginal flag, proudly displayed at the entrance to the site office as a symbol of respect for First Nations peoples.
Traditional spoking ceremony at the Ryde Hospital yarning circle
Adopt a seedling initiative As part of ongoing environmental efforts, the team distributed approximately 200 native seedlings through the Adopt a Seedling program to staff, local residents, and local businesses. Participants have been nurturing the seedlings and will be invited to a replanting ceremony in 2026 where they will be placed in the nearby Blue Gum High Forest. The initiative fosters community pride, supports local ecological restoration, and integrates the forest into the patient and community experience and connection.
Ryde Hospital staff members collecting their native seedlings
Staff ‘Thank You’ BBQ To mark the completion of staging and enabling works, the project team invited staff to enjoy a traditional Turkish BBQ hosted by our building contractor, A W Edwards. The event was held to express our sincere thanks for staff resilience, acceptance and understanding as we progress these important works. The staging and enabling works have allowed the buildings located within the new Acute Services Building footprint to be safely decommissioned and removed, making way for construction of the the new hospital building to start. These works would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful staff, and this BBQ was a small gesture to say a big thank you.
Principal contractor AW Edwards, at the Thank You BBQ
Project team members, with AW Edwards transforming the local childcare
Project team members, with AW Edwards at the community volunteer day
Volunteering and community support The redevelopment team joined AW Edwards to refresh the grounds of the neighbouring Clovel Childcare and Early Learning Centre. Volunteers improved play areas, reinstated a vegetable garden, repaired decking and drains, enhanced landscaping, and rebuilt seating to create a safer, more engaging outdoor space for children. This initiative reflects the project’s commitment to supporting staff, families, and the local community.
Neighbours barbecue On 6 September, local residents were invited behind the hoardings for a special Neighbours BBQ. Visitors toured key work areas, met the project team, learned about the hospital’s environmental initiatives and progress on the Blue Gum High Forest regeneration. The event highlighted the team’s dedication to transparency, engagement, and collaboration with the local community.
Neighbours exploring the site with an AWE construction worker
A kids station keeping future builders entertained
Looking ahead Through cultural celebrations, environmental programs, volunteering, and on-site visits, the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment team continues to strengthen community connections, honour local heritage, and foster pride in a state-of-the-art health facility that serves both people and place.
2025 project recap Project milestones Jan 2025 – May 2025 Construction of interim facilities April 2025
In 2025, the Ryde Hospital Redevelopment made significant progress. Early in the year, interim facilities, including the ICU/CCU, hospital kitchen, executive and engineering buildings and loading dock, were built and commissioned to ensure the continued delivery of high- quality care throughout the redevelopment. By mid-year, all interim facilities were fully operational, providing modern amenities for patients and staff. Parking changes and other service adjustments were also completed, supporting ongoing construction activities. Main works progressed through site establishment, hoarding, demolition, piling, services diversions and earthworks. Ambulance Lane works progressed, and Blue Gum High Forest restoration activities were carried out. Demolition and temporary service diversions from the existing hospital were completed, carefully coordinated to ensure patient care, staff access, and car movements were maintained safely. The first tranche of Models of Care development also began, with user group sessions to continue into 2026. These groups ensure the hospital functions reflect patient needs and clinical best practice. In the final months of 2025, foundation activities and earthworks for the new Acute Services Building (ASB) advanced, and two tower cranes arrived on site, marking a major milestone for the project. Watch the tower crane installation video here. Remaining activities for the year will include steel reinforcement activities and concrete pours to continue progressing the lift and stair cores, along with excavation, retention wall construction, and piling to form the future basement car park.
First phase of Blue Gum High Forest native replanting commenced June 2025 Acute Services Building construction site establishment August 2025 Demolition of decommissioned buildings September 2025 Piling and earthworks commence October 2025 Tower cranes arrive on site December 2025 Concrete pours started
Stay up to date: For the latest construction updates and activity at Ryde Hospital and to learn what’s to come in 2026, subscribe for regular updates here
The ASB will feature expanded emergency, intensive care, medical imaging, operating theatres, and purpose- built paediatric and ambulatory care facilities. The new building is due for construction completion in late 2027, with landscaping, the main entrance and demolition of the remaining hospital buildings to follow in 2028.
Aerial view of the western wing site
Fun facts about the redevelopment
21,000+ cubic metres of concrete will be poured – enough to fill 8.5 Olympic swimming pools.
55km of tiles will be hand-installed to create the building’s unique look. That’s enough to cover a row of tiles from Sydney CBD to Penrith. 250km of power cabling will be laid within the new hospital building – enough to cover a journey from Sydney to Newcastle.
2,500 tonnes of steel reinforcement will go into floors, walls, columns, and lift shafts.
Construction and sustainability highlights
2 fully electric tower cranes will be used to power construction without diesel – significantly reducing emissions while still doing the heavy lifting!
100% of steel reinforcement will be made in Australia, with 90% made from recycled materials.
13% of the current workforce is made up of women in non-traditional roles, helping redefine what a construction site looks like. 100% of construction power is being sourced from accredited renewable energy.
90% target for diversion of non-hazardous waste from landfill. This means most of our waste will be reused, recycled, or repurposed.
For more information T : 02 9978 5411
For an interpreter, call 131 450 and ask them to call 02 9978 5411
E : HI-RydeHospital-Redev@health.nsw.gov.au W : nsw.gov.au/ryde-hospital-redevelopment
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