The first development application for Canberra’s new Northside Hospital has been approved, allowing staged demolition of existing buildings at the Bruce site.

Early works have been underway since April and include relocating and upgrading utilities, establishing construction compounds, demolishing buildings, providing new parking and building a replacement childcare centre.

Main construction of the hospital is expected to begin in late 2027.

A separate development application for the new Bruce Ridge Early Childhood Centre is on public exhibition, with the community able to comment on the proposed designs through the ACT Planning website.

Plans for the hospital include more than 200 new inpatient beds, a new emergency department with a dedicated paediatric short-stay unit, a 14-bed intensive care unit, six birthing suites, a maternity unit and special care nursery.

The hospital will also have eight operating theatres, with provision for another two, two endoscopy suites with space for a third, expanded outpatient facilities and a separate Birth Centre.

North Canberra Hospital will remain operational throughout the early works, although temporary changes to parking and access are expected during construction.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.