Bathurst is set to welcome a new private hospital, with plans to complete the facility by 2027. Dr. Bill Mackie, director of Bathurst Private Hospital, confirmed the initiative following an in-principle agreement by the Bathurst Regional Council to sell a 1.1-hectare parcel of land from its works depot to the Central West Medical Group, which currently operates the existing private hospital. This development comes after the cancellation of the Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre (BIMC) project in 2024, which had included plans for a new private hospital.
The BIMC was proposed to be located on the old Clancy Motors site on Howick Street. However, complications regarding parking arrangements led to its downfall. Dr. Mackie noted that the halt of the BIMC project prompted the search for alternative options to secure the future of private hospital services in Bathurst.
“Our principal need was a suitable new site primarily for the hospital, but where possible that would also be suitable for the other potential tenants who had planned to be in BIMC,” Dr. Mackie explained. The team evaluated various locations throughout the town, including private property, council land, and Crown land, in collaboration with council staff and other stakeholders.
Details of the New Facility
The newly proposed hospital is set to be built within the Health and Knowledge Precinct Plan established in 2020. The facility will feature direct access to the existing Durham Street car park, extending through to Morrisset Street. Designed as a two-storey building, it will occupy less than half the area initially allocated for the BIMC. Parking considerations have also been addressed, with plans for new staff and visitor parking to be incorporated on the new site while maintaining the current public car park.
Dr. Mackie anticipates that, barring any unexpected delays, the hospital could be operational within three and a half to four years. He emphasized the necessity of this new facility, citing the challenges faced by the current hospital in Gormans Hill, which was constructed in the 1970s and has undergone renovations in 1995 and 2015. “The current facility is not suitable for further renovations or long-term occupancy,” he stated.
The existing layout poses operational challenges and does not adapt well to evolving medical needs. The new hospital will feature an additional operating theatre, enhancing capacity and providing greater flexibility for surgeons and visiting specialists from outside the region.
Future Considerations and Next Steps
The Gormans Hill site, which is leased from Catholic Healthcare, may also be redeveloped for aged care, a factor that influenced the planning for Bathurst’s private hospital. In an October 2025 meeting, Dr. Mackie informed the Bathurst council of this potential redevelopment by Catholic Healthcare, highlighting the urgency of establishing a new private hospital.
At present, the price for the works depot land remains undetermined. The mayor and the council’s general manager have been authorized to continue negotiations regarding the sale, with plans to report back to the council on the outcomes and any additional costs associated with relocating storage items.
This new hospital initiative signifies a critical step forward for Bathurst’s healthcare landscape, aiming to improve facilities and services for the community.
