The Allan Labor Government is getting on with delivering world-class public health care to families in Melbourne's fast growing western suburbs - sharing a first look at the future Melton Hospital.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today unveiled the latest designs for the massive $900 million project that will support the growing and diverse communities of Melton, Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne.
On track for completion in 2029, the new Melton Hospital will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year and almost 60,000 patients in its emergency department.
Set to become Australia's first all-electric hospital, designs reveal key internal and external spaces, including the main entrance, façade and patient rooms - focusing on natural light, access to nature and outdoor spaces.
Exclusive negotiations to establish a public private partnership are now complete, in another important milestone for the project.
Western Health will operate the service, while Exemplar Health consortium is officially confirmed to design, construct, finance and maintain the new hospital for a period of 25 years.
The consortium includes Capella Capital as sponsor and investor, Lendlease Infrastructure Investments and Invesis as investors, Lendlease as builder, and Honeywell and Compass Group as facilities and maintenance managers.
With this partnership now formally established, the consortium will work closely with the Victorian Health Building Authority and Western Health to continue developing detailed designs.
More than 60 meetings with clinicians and user groups will be held over the coming months as part of consultation on key functional and operational details - including the location of beds, lights, doors, and equipment required.
Located close to Cobblebank Station, it will include a 24-hour ED, at least 274 beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services, outpatient care and teaching, training and research spaces.
The project will also create more than 2,400 jobs during construction and is expected to generate more than 3,975 health related jobs on-site in the hospital's first year.
The new Melton Hospital will reduce waiting times at other busy Melbourne hospitals and provide an essential link with services at Sunshine Hospital and the new $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"Melbourne's west is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and it is critical that families moving to the area can rely on 24-hour world-class health care right on their doorstep."
As stated by Member for Melton Steve McGhie
"This is a significant milestone for the massive Melton Hospital project, and it is exciting to be another step-closer to transforming Melton into a major hub - it will make a big difference to the community when it opens in 2029."
