Health services still operating out of the old Tweed Hospital site are on the move, with plans underway to relocate them into new clinic spaces at Tweed Mall on Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, in late 2026.
The shift will bring patients and staff new clinic spaces and modern, refurbished facilities. Services making the move include the BreastScreen NSW clinic, Tweed Community Health services, and community-based Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs services. The Needle and Syringe Program kiosk and the Tweed Heads Ambulance Station will stay put at the former hospital site.
Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said the move would let residents keep accessing vital healthcare in the centre of Tweed Heads.
“This relocation upholds our previous commitment to the local community, retaining a range of community health services in the Tweed Heads area to meet the ongoing healthcare needs of local residents,” Ms Maisey said.
“We are looking forward to delivering these important community health services in what will be modern, refurbished, fit-for-purpose facilities in the safe and secure environment of Tweed Mall, where there is ample free parking for clients.”
For staff and patients used to the old hospital site, the health district says the change will be managed carefully.
“We’ll be working closely with our staff and patients to ensure a safe and smooth transition to the new location and will keep everyone informed as relocation dates are finalised,” Ms Maisey said.
For now, nothing changes. All health services currently delivered at the old Tweed Hospital site continue as normal, with contact numbers, opening hours and service locations staying the same until the move takes place.
With the health services set to move out, the old hospital site itself now has a new future planned. The unused site, on the corner of Powell and Florence streets, is being transformed into 800 new homes, transferred from NSW Health to Landcom, the NSW Government’s property developer, to enable the delivery of the new homes, including up to 10 per cent affordable housing.
The new homes will be an important addition for Tweed Heads, which has one of the lowest housing vacancy rates in the state at just 0.8 per cent, leaving families competing for a small pool of homes. Alongside the housing, the development will deliver improved public access to the waterfront, with new shared pedestrian and bicycle paths and increased tree canopy to help keep streets cool.
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the site would help ease pressure on one of the region’s toughest housing markets.
“Tweed Heads is one of the fastest-growing communities in NSW, which has placed immense pressure on local rental and housing markets. Unlocking this site to deliver 800 new homes is a massive win that will inject much-needed supply exactly where families want to live,” Ms Saffin said.
“For over half a century, this land served a vital purpose for the people of the Tweed. It is fitting that its next chapter will continue to support the community by providing secure, well-connected housing and vibrant new public spaces right on the waterfront.”
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the site had a long history of caring for the Tweed community, and that history would help guide its next chapter.
“The former Tweed Hospital site was at the centre of health care for more than 50 years, supporting local families through some of the most important moments of their lives,” Mr Park said.
“While healthcare has moved to the state-of-the-art Tweed Valley Hospital, I am pleased this site will continue to serve the community by delivering much-needed housing.”
The move comes almost two years after the former hospital closed, following the transfer of health services to the new $723 million Tweed Valley Hospital at Cudgen. The former hospital is one of 75 surplus government-owned sites identified through the Minns Government’s ongoing Property Audit, led by Property and Development NSW, which the government says has the potential to unlock more than 12,000 homes across the state. The government also says its planning reforms and surplus land audit have grown the broader pipeline of homes for NSW, with more than 80,000 homes currently under construction, which it says is the highest number in the country.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the Tweed Heads project reflected that wider push.
“This is another example of the Minns Labor Government unlocking hundreds of homes where they’re needed most,” Mr Scully said.
“As well as delivering 800 new homes, the proposed Tweed Heads development will also deliver more greenery and improve community access to the waterfront helping us to build better communities.”
A State Significant Development Application for the site will be lodged in early 2027, with construction expected to start in 2029, pending planning approvals.
Landcom is already active across the wider region, with a portfolio of projects in Greater Sydney and regional communities including the Northern Rivers, South Coast and Central West. Landcom Chief Executive Officer Alexander Wendler said the Tweed Heads site fit into that regional push.
“Landcom is making homes happen for the Tweed region,” Mr Wendler said.
“This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the site and demonstrates Landcom’s important role in unlocking surplus government land for much needed housing.
“Landcom has a strong commitment to the Northern Rivers region including the delivery of 50 build to rent homes and a nearby 400-home subdivision project in Lismore, and affordable housing projects in Goonellabah and Mullumbimby.”
Up-to-date information on the relocation will be published on the Northern NSW Local Health District website at nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitals/tweed-valley-hospital
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