Cladding remediation at Calvary Mater Newcastle to begin in March after NSW Health intervention

newy.com.au – Non-compliant cladding on Calvary Mater Newcastle’s external façade will start being replaced in March after the NSW Government said it had stepped in to speed up stalled remediation works at the hospital.

NSW Health said the cladding, which does not meet relevant building code requirements, had also been identified as a contributing factor to water leaks in parts of the facility, with the remediation expected to be completed by mid-2027.

A contractor has been engaged to carry out the replacement works, with NSW Health saying it would now deal directly with the builder to progress the project as soon as practicable.

The government said the timeline had been repeatedly delayed during commercial discussions with Novacare, which provides facilities management services at the site, and that “multiple notices of breach” had been issued to the company after an acceptable agreement was not reached.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said the intervention was aimed at ensuring the long-delayed works could proceed. “We said we would step in and take action at Calvary Mater Newcastle, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Park said in a statement on Monday.

Park said the works would start soon. “A contractor has now been engaged, and cladding works are scheduled to begin within weeks, ensuring long-overdue remediation can now move ahead without further delay,” he said.

NSW Health said it would work closely with the Calvary Mater Newcastle team to coordinate construction activities and minimise disruption to patients, staff and visitors while the remediation progressed. “We will continue working closely with the Calvary Mater Newcastle team to minimise disruption and ensure patients and staff remain our top priority throughout the process,” Park said.

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery welcomed the announcement, saying she was “pleased to see this essential cladding work commence in March following intervention by NSW Health”. “Again, I appreciate the patience of the staff and patients of the Mater as we get on with the important job of remediation,” Hornery said.

Works are expected to continue through to mid-2027, with the NSW Government saying it would take “all necessary steps” to support timely remediation and maintain the safety and reliability of the site.