Plans for a $24 million cancer wellness centre that will fill a critical gap in Tasmania’s healthcare system have been approved by the Hobart City Council.
The council’s planning committee on Wednesday night gave the green light to partially demolish and redevelop the heritage-listed former Theatre Royal Hotel on Campbell Street.
The University of Tasmania-owned building sits opposite the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The SHE Cancer Wellness Centre will preserve the historic façade while adding a modern four-storey facility.
The centre will include consulting rooms, 11 accommodation units for cancer patients and their carers, as well as ground-floor health services and communal areas.
The project, expected to be complete in 2027, is backed by a $10 million government commitment, matched by philanthropic funding.
SHE Gynaecological Cancer Group chair Scott Harris told the meeting the project had been four years in the making, following the loss of his wife to cancer.
He said the facility would provide services not currently available in Tasmania. Many patients are forced to travel interstate for treatment.
“It was a vision to actually see cancer care and wellness, to have a centre in the hospital precinct of Hobart that actually allowed Tasmanians to have on parity the best possible cancer wellness that they can have,” he said.
The council earlier waived planning fees to support the community-driven project, which Harris thanked them for. He said support was continuing to build around the initiative.
“There’s quite a momentum that’s been created through the community getting in behind this project,” he said.
“It’s important that we keep that momentum going along to ensure this very critical project for Tasmania is brought to life.”
