Media Release

Community invited to "Name the Crane" at new Tamworth Mental Health Unit site

10 July 2024

As construction of the new Mental Health Unit at Tamworth Hospital progresses, the local community now has the chance to name the 31-metre-high crane that will support the next phase of building works.

The delivery of the new building remains on track and will bolster support to provide mental health services to Tamworth and surrounding communities. This means providing effective care and help to people who need it most.

The crane was assembled in late June and will be integral in the next phase of works.

To help celebrate the crane’s arrival, the Tamworth community is invited to take part in a “Name the Crane” competition, with the winning name to be placed on the crane, as well as prizes for the top three names, as judged by the community. Entries can be made at Name the Crane for the Tamworth Mental Health Unit Project.

The new Tamworth Mental Health Unit will replace the Banksia Mental Health Unit in a new location on the Tamworth Hospital campus and will include 37 inpatient beds as well as a direct link to the Tamworth Hospital building.

The new Mental Health Unit will include:

  • 4 adolescent inpatient beds
  • 20 general adult beds, as well as a 5-bed adult high acuity zone
  • 8 bed seniors’ area.

Services at Tamworth Hospital and the Banksia Mental Health Unit will continue to operate as normal during the project’s construction phase.

The project is being delivered by Hunter New England Local Health District and Health Infrastructure as part of the NSW Government’s $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program. Hansen Yuncken is the builder.

This project is in addition to the $111.8 million mental health package announced in the 2024-25 NSW Budget that was designed to deliver high quality mental health care to meet the needs of people living across NSW, including those regional and rural communities.

For more information on the project, visit Tamworth Mental Health Unit.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson

“The mental health and wellbeing of each and every one of us in NSW is a top priority and the NSW Government has committed to bolstering support in every possible.

“That’s why these construction milestones are so important – it brings us one step closer to a new and much needed mental health facility which will serve Tamworth and surrounding communities.

“To earmark the start of construction we’re asking the community to get behind the project with their creativity. The challenge is to name the crane a special name as it helps deliver the new Tamworth Hospital Mental Health Unit.

“Upon completion, the Tamworth Mental Health Unit will provide a pillar of support for the community. Providing wrap around mental health services in a culturally welcoming and calm environment.”