Women are playing a key role in the construction of the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, representing around 13 per cent of the project's workforce. The project is currently exceeding NSW Government targets aimed at increasing the number of women in the construction industry.
The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is participating in the Women in Construction (WiC) focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (ISLP) which is trialling increased targets for women in construction to boost skills, capability, and capacity in the construction industry and increase diversity on building sites. The Women in Construction focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program (WiC-ISLP) is one of four key priorities being delivered under the Minns Labor Government's $20.2 million Women in Construction Program.
The $438 million hospital redevelopment, being delivered by main works contractor John Holland, is one of eight Health Infrastructure NSW projects with a dedicated WiC ISLP officer embedded on site to support the employment, upskilling, and retention of women in the construction sector.
To date, women in trades and construction roles represent 10 per cent of the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment's workforce, exceeding the NSW Governments trial target of 4 per cent of women working in trade-based roles.
Women working on the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment are contributing across a wide range of roles including Project Director, electrician, carpenter, safety coordinator, architects and engineers.
The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment will become the health hub for the region, providing most emergency, critical care, acute, sub-acute, and non-admitted services locally, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.
Construction of the new Acute Services Building is expected to be completed in 2026.
Health Infrastructure is delivering the project in partnership with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. The project is supported by John Holland as the main works contractor and Program Manager, Johnstaff.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“It's wonderful to see the significant number of women working on this incredibly important project for the Shoalhaven, which will become a health hub for the region and reduce the need for patients to travel to Wollongong or Sydney.
“The Minns Labor Government is a strong advocate for ensuring women thrive in the construction industry and we're dedicated to driving cultural change, inclusion, and diversity across the state."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to providing opportunities for women to build careers in construction by gaining valuable skills and experience on large-scale infrastructure projects like the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment.
“We have a long way to go to get more women working on building sites, but the Women in Construction focused Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program is making an impact. It supports women in construction across the state to develop careers while also driving cultural change within the industry to create a more skilled, inclusive and diverse workforce.
“Increasing women's participation in construction is not only the right thing to do for diversity in construction - it's an economic necessity that helps address the ongoing shortage of skilled construction workers."
Quotes attributable to Member for the South Coast, Liza Butler:
"It's fantastic to see women playing such a vital role in the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, demonstrating that construction is a career for everyone. With women making up 13 per cent of the workforce on this project—well above industry targets—we are setting a strong example of how diversity can strengthen the sector."
"The Women in Construction program is making a real difference by opening doors for more women to enter and thrive in the industry. From apprentices like Libby Walters to project directors and engineers, this initiative is not only creating jobs but also building long-term career pathways."
"This $438 million redevelopment will transform healthcare in our region, ensuring that more people can receive the critical care they need, closer to home. I'm incredibly proud that this project is also leading the way in workforce diversity, setting a new standard for construction projects across NSW."
Quotes attributable Apprentice Carpenter Libby Walters:
“I really enjoy working alongside experienced colleagues who have perfected their craft over many years. The wide variety of roles on site is also great.
“I'd encourage anyone to get out there and get experience! There are so many different parts of the industry – you need to work out the type of work you want to do by trying lots of different things. Use your contacts to seek out opportunities."
Quotes attributable to Senior Project Engineer, Lucia Lu:
“Working in construction has given me the confidence to keep growing. The dynamic nature of construction provides endless challenges everyday but also encourages continuous learning throughout your career and is incredibly rewarding."