Plans to redevelop former Manly Hospital into health hub progress

The NSW government has announced it is moving forward with plans to transform the former Manly Hospital in Sydney into a health and wellbeing precinct, following the appointment of a preferred delivery partner to create a masterplan.

The 1896 Manly Hospital closed in October 2018, with all services relocated to the Northern Beaches Hospital. In November 2018, the NSW government announced that the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice would be located on a portion of the site. The hospice opened its services to the community in March 2023 and continues to operate from the site.

Following an expression of interest and tender campaign, the state government revealed that it had selected aged care provider Aveo to develop the master plan vision at the former hospital site. Aveo will collaborate with the government to prepare a concept state significant development application (SSDA).

Pending planning approval, the precinct is envisioned to accommodate seniors housing, including independent retirement living and affordable housing; a residential aged care facility; public open spaces; a health and wellbeing centre; community and retail spaces; and a childcare centre. Heritage buildings on site will be adaptively reused for contemporary occupation.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, "When the new Northern Beaches Hospital opened in 2018, it meant the closure of the iconic Manly Hospital, where many locals were born and cared for."

He added that the "government is finding new complementary uses for the site, which will celebrate the former Manly Hospital's past while meeting the evolving needs of the community."

The plans will be lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.