Southern Cross Health Trust plans a $150 million expansion to more than double the capacity of its private Brightside Hospital in Epsom, Auckland, with parties involved in the process given until the end of November to finalize terms in the Environment Court.
The project involves constructing a new standalone three-level building on Gillies Avenue, connected to the existing hospital at 3 Brightside Road by an airbridge. Southern Cross Health Trust, New Zealand’s largest private hospital operator, announced details of the development, marking the first time it has publicly disclosed the estimated cost. The new facility is designed to add six operating theatres, increasing the total number at the site from four to ten.
Chris White, chief executive of Southern Cross Health Trust, said the proposal is progressing through the design and resource consent stages, with negotiations concluding ahead of the court deadline. The expansion aims to meet increasing demand for specialist healthcare services amid Auckland’s population growth. White highlighted plans to upgrade existing facilities and expand elective procedure capacity closer to where patients live and work.
The trust owns several adjacent properties along Gillies Avenue, including 151 and 153 Gillies Avenue, each featuring older residential buildings, and previously demolished a larger structure at 149 Gillies Avenue citing fire risk concerns. The new building, approximately 8,000 square meters, will focus on orthopaedic services and feature one vehicle access point from Gillies Avenue alongside a porte cochere for patient drop-off. The main hospital entrance will continue to operate from Brightside Road.
The project includes measures to preserve surrounding environmental features, such as basalt rock walls and protected trees on the site. During Environment Court mediation, Southern Cross agreed to several conditions, including building setbacks from Gillies Avenue and strict controls on blasting activities with requirements for monitoring and compensation in case of damage to nearby homes.
Community opposition has surfaced primarily from the Eden Epsom Residential Protection Society, which has raised concerns about zoning. The society’s president, retired Court of Appeal judge Tony Randerson, emphasized that their objection is grounded in protecting residential zoning rather than simple opposition to development. Randerson noted that while hospitals are permitted under the Auckland Unitary Plan in various zones, residential areas like this have been excluded. He also confirmed ongoing negotiations with Southern Cross have made significant progress but remain unresolved.
Representatives for both Southern Cross and the society continue to work toward a resolution, with legal counsel involved for each party. Project management is being handled by Expedite Projects, with architectural design by Chow: Hill. The expansion also plans to increase patient, guest, and specialist parking by 20 spaces, bringing the total on-site parking to 70, while staff parking remains a lower priority.
Southern Cross maintains it has engaged closely with Auckland Council, neighbouring property owners, and community groups to align the development with local expectations and regulatory requirements. The trust underscores the project’s aim to create a modern healthcare facility that addresses future healthcare needs while supporting the region’s growing demand for specialised medical services.