On Friday, 8th November, SHAPE CEO Peter Marix-Evans, SHAPE Tasmania General Manager Tom Sparkes, and members of the SHAPE team joined the recently appointed Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, Clifford Craig Foundation CEO Vanessa Cahoon, and Hospitals North Chief Executive Fiona Lieutier on a site visit to the Northern Integrated Care Service (NICS) building. The visit marked the commencement of an exciting new chapter for the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Precinct Masterplan, with SHAPE Tasmania leading the redevelopment of the NICS building to establish Launceston as a hub of healthcare research and innovation.
Jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, the $5.1 million redevelopment will transform the NICS building into a state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Centre, supporting the Clifford Craig Foundation’s work in medical research. Additionally, the Sir John Ramsay Memorial Library will be relocated to the new centre, creating valuable space within the main hospital for clinical services and giving local healthcare professionals a dedicated area to conduct cutting-edge research.
As part of the redevelopment, initial works on the NICS Ground Floor will deliver modern office, meeting, and breakout spaces for hospital staff. The second stage of works, progressing to Level 1, will focus on establishing the new research and library facilities, which are expected to enhance Tasmania’s capacity for medical innovation and advance healthcare in the region. Construction on the building will continue while NICS remains operational, with completion projected for mid-2025.
Minister Petrusma commended the project as a significant milestone for Tasmania’s healthcare sector, stating, “The start of works on the Northern Integrated Care Service building is an exciting milestone for Northern Tasmania. This redevelopment will help establish the LGH as a national centre of research excellence, growing our capacity for advancing medical research and innovative healthcare on a national and global scale. As part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are committed to building an even better health system.”
SHAPE Tasmania General Manager Tom Sparkes echoed the Minister’s enthusiasm, sharing his thoughts on SHAPE’s role in the project: “We’re proud to be part of a project that will bring lasting benefits to the community, with a focus on improving healthcare infrastructure for the region. Our team is committed to delivering this redevelopment to the highest standard, ensuring that it supports the groundbreaking research and healthcare advancements set to come from the NICS building.”
Jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, the $5.1 million redevelopment will transform the NICS building into a state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Centre, supporting the Clifford Craig Foundation’s work in medical research.
Vanessa Cahoon, CEO of the Clifford Craig Foundation, also spoke about the significance of this project for Tasmania’s healthcare system. “At Clifford Craig, we are committed to enhancing the Northern region’s capacity to attract and retain medical professionals to do their important work right here. Seeing the commencement of material works after securing investment in Northern region healthcare infrastructure is exciting for our community,” she said.
This redevelopment represents SHAPE Tasmania’s commitment to the health and well-being of the Northern Tasmanian community, further establishing SHAPE as a trusted partner in delivering innovative and impactful healthcare projects. NICS will remain fully operational during construction, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025. The SHAPE team looks forward to working closely with the Tasmanian Government and healthcare leaders to bring this important vision to life.
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