Plans for a 104-bed, $54 million private hospital and medical precinct in the central NSW city of Orange, providing 150 ongoing jobs, have been approved by the state's Department of Planning.
The Bloomfield Medical Centre would include a six-level private hospital as well as allied health, retail facilities and a motel.
Developers Zauner Construction and James Richmark would be jointly building the precinct opposite the Orange Health Service.
Orange City Council Mayor Reg Kidd made the announcement on Wednesday, almost ten years after the project was originally approved.
The Department of Planning and Environment this month approved modifications to the project.
Mr Kidd said the proposal reflected developer confidence and a suite of benefits for the district.
The project's spokesman Patrick O'Halloran said the new facility would complement the existing public hospital, boosting the district's stature as a health hub.
"Some of the feedback that we've had is that it's expected that Orange will be somewhat of a hub for New South Wales, for conferences, and for young doctors coming in from universities," Mr O'Halloran said.
Zauner Construction chief executive Garry Zauner was not concerned about the private facility threatening the viability of the base hospital.
"I should imagine that both precincts should work together very well. That's certainly what all the planning has been centred around," Mr Zauner said.
Around 150 ongoing jobs will be created when the hospital is operating and another 500 are expected during the construction phase.
The project still required the go-ahead from the Orange City Council.
Cr Kidd said he hoped a development application would be received before year's end.
"This is probably the best Christmas present I've had in quite a while," the Mayor said.
The precinct's developers said that they expect construction to begin next year.
