Construction begins on $1.1 billion Mandurah hospital south of Perth

Construction began on a new $1.1 billion hospital in Mandurah, south of Perth, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The project marks the start of work on a five-storey facility designed to replace and expand services currently offered at the Peel Health Campus. Excavators were active on-site, with the main construction contract awarded to Built Australia and Sacyr Construction. The hospital is scheduled to open in early 2029. The new facility will feature an emergency department, a mental health emergency centre, maternity and outpatient services, palliative care, and new cancer treatment services. It will accommodate approximately 300 beds, adding 111 beds to the state’s hospital capacity. All current services at the Peel Health Campus will either be replaced or expanded within the new structure. The hospital is located on vacant land adjacent to the existing campus, allowing for seamless integration into the local healthcare network. The project is part of the Western Australian government’s $2 billion Building Hospitals Fund, which has previously supported major projects such as the $807 million upgrade of Royal Perth Hospital and the acquisition of the 196-bed Mt Lawley Hospital for $224 million. So far, the government has invested $152 million in new water and electricity infrastructure and plans to allocate an additional $950 million toward construction. Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey noted that the fund will continue to be replenished over time. Premier Roger Cook highlighted the rapid population growth in the Peel region, emphasizing the need for modernized infrastructure to meet increasing demands. “People in Mandurah, the surrounding suburbs and across the Peel region will be able to access more care closer to home,” he stated. This expansion aims to reduce the necessity for residents to travel to Perth for medical treatments, improving accessibility and convenience. Health Minister Meredith Hammat underscored the importance of expanding mental health services, stating that the new facility will serve the Mandurah region specifically. She emphasized that enhancing mental health care remains a key priority for the government, ensuring that infrastructure supports improved care models for individuals facing mental health challenges. The hospital’s design includes a larger emergency department compared to the current Peel Health Campus, reflecting anticipated increases in patient volume. The facility will also support aging populations, as the government forecasts a sharp rise in demand for health services among individuals aged 45 and older. This trend is linked to broader demographic shifts and planned developments, including expansions at the HMAS Stirling naval base under the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom. Additional funding of $1 million has been earmarked for master planning upgrades to the Rockingham General Hospital, aligning with projections of heightened healthcare needs in the area. These investments aim to ensure that regional healthcare systems remain responsive to evolving community requirements. The new Mandurah hospital represents a strategic move to bolster local healthcare resources and address long-term public health goals.