While Byron Bay’s controversial silver ‘phallic’ sculpture still stands tall despite public speculation, Lismore’s skyline icon – the tower crane at Lismore base Hospital - has finally come down.

Part of the Lismore skyline since May 2018, the tower crane at Lismore Base Hospital has now been removed, concluding another step in the $320 million redevelopment of the hospital. 

The tower crane was erected to assist with the construction of the new multi-storey North Tower. 

Lismore Base Hospital general manager Ian Hatton, said the tower crane has been a visual reminder to the community of the redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital. 

“The removal of the crane signifies that we are one step closer to the completion of North Tower,” Mr Hatton said. 

“This is another exciting milestone for the staff, patients, and visitors at Lismore Base Hospital.” 

Lismore base Hospital before the tower crane's removal.

Restricted hours will remain in place for the Helicopter Landing Site while the remainder of work is completed on the North Tower. 

The new North Tower, to be known operationally within the hospital as “F Block”, will provide increased inpatient capacity, a greater range of services, and improved facilities for patients and staff. 

It will contain a new larger Intensive Care Unit, Perioperative and Endoscopy units, Imaging department, Pharmacy, Admissions, and Security departments, and two new Inpatient Units. 

The North Tower construction completion is forecast for late 2019, followed by a commissioning period and staged relocation of existing departments commencing during the first quarter of 2020. 

Once fully occupied, the next phase of the Stage 3 redevelopment will see a range of refurbishment works undertaken within vacated spaces in the existing hospital buildings.