The Labor Party brought the Liberals back down to earth on Friday when it came to the announcement of a helipad for the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital.

Liberal candidate for the Kiama by-election, Serena Copley, and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman on Friday morning pledged that a Liberal government would ensure a helipad would be added to the new Shellharbour Hospital project, which is under construction in Dunmore.

A few hours later, Labor candidate Katelin McInerney and Health Minister Ryan Park announced the NSW Government had given the green light for the helipad's construction, which they said ensures "Illawarra residents have more timely access to emergency and critical care when the new hospital opens" in 2027.

The new hospital project includes:

• an expanded emergency department

• enhanced paediatric services including a new Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)

• specialised elective surgery services

• rehabilitation and aged care services

• acute medical services

• expanded mental health services

• a new drug and alcohol unit

• maternity services including midwifery-led clinics, doctor-led clinics, midwifery group practice (MGP) clinics and antenatal and postnatal services

• renal dialysis

• outpatients care services

• car parking and improved public transport links.

Construction of the new building is progressing, with concrete pours well underway.

In the coming months, activity will continue to ramp up on site as key structural elements of the hospital take shape.

Park said the previous Liberal government had planned to privatise the hospital and sack more than 1000 nurses – including 61 who work on the South Coast, and that they had introduced an unfair wages cap, suppressing the wages of frontline workers for 12 years.

“We are committed to building essential health services that drive better outcomes for patients, when they need it most.

“Construction of this helipad means the community will benefit from improved emergency responses when the new hospital opens, ensuring even faster access to critical care.

“The new Shellharbour Hospital will be a game-changer for the Illawarra and a helipad will help to support the growing healthcare needs of the entire region.”

McInerney said the Government was "committed to rebuilding the essential health services our community needs and relies on".

“The construction of a helipad at Shellharbour Hospital will help support our dedicated health staff as they continue to deliver high-quality care for our community.”

Mark Speakman and Serena Copley.

Copley had earlier said that the former Liberal Government invested $780 million to build the new Shellharbour Hospital and $440 million for the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment.

“In an emergency, every minute matters and a helipad for the growing Shellharbour population is essential. The current hospital has one and the new hospital should have one too," she said in announcing her helipad commitment.

“People on the South Coast have been ignored by the Labor Government, but we deserve access to healthcare services that we need – and only the Liberals have the proven record of delivering infrastructure and services for Kiama. Labor should not be rewarded for neglecting our region."