Three construction companies are bidding for contracts to build the new $100 million University of Canberra public hospital, due to be under way from early 2016.
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ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell welcomed approval of the project's reference design development application by the Planning and Land Authority on Wednesday.
The new hospital, set to be built on the corner of Aikman Drive and Ginninderra Drive, has been designed to boost sub-acute health services in the ACT and alleviate stress on the busy Canberra and Calvary Hospitals.
It will include 140 inpatient beds and 75 day places, as well as serving as a teaching and research facility operated in collaboration between the University of Canberra and ACT Health.
Mr Corbell said the successful tender would be chosen and the final cost confirmed before the end of the year.
Construction had been due to begin before Christmas but has been delayed until early 2016. Construction will take between 18 months and two years.
"This is an important milestone for the University of Canberra public hospital. To get development approval for the reference design means we are well on track to meet our timeframes for construction to start early next year," Mr Corbell said.
"This is an important sub-acute facility for the ACT, the first of its kind and it will deliver dedicated rehabilitation, mental health and a range of other out patient and other sub-acute services.
"At the moment, all of our rehabilitation and sub-acute facilities are being delivered largely through the Canberra Hospital campus. We want to get them out ... where possible, because the hospital needs to focus on its role as the tertiary treatment centre for the city and the region."
Mr Corbell said the reference design was a base case for the development. Final variations would be made by the successful contractor, ahead of any required amendments to the development approval.
The government has addressed concerns from some local residents, including suggestions raised last month that plans for the hospital were "seriously flawed", including in relation to parking, traffic congestion and public transport.
"All these issues are addressed as part of the development approval by the Planning and Land Authority so we will be working through all of those details and conditions of approval," Mr Corbell said.
Documents released under freedom of information laws showed the hospital development would provide 710 new car parks, with 75 spaces for the day unit and 24 short-term spaces.
About 50 bicycles racks will also be included.
Mr Corbell said the hospital would help the development of the University of Canberra and surrounding suburbs.
