Min,

I am going thru mainly a midwife clinic and trying to get into the birth suite (rather than labour ward) because as u said, it is a more relaxed environment and more family friendly. At Blacktown hospital the two are linked and very similar except for visitor rules. So I don't mind either way. I am very happy with the midwife clinic. They are very professional and know what they are doing and if anything is unusual they will book u into an OB to be checked.
In labour if u r with the birthing suites and bubs seems to be unwell or something goes other than normally (pray god it doesn't happen) they transfer u straight to the labour ward.
I think u will find that ur local birthing suite and labour ward will work closely together because they never know when they will need to transfer a woman in labour to somewhere higher care.
Hope this helps