The Allan Labor Government is marking another construction milestone on the $384 million Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment, with preparation for major construction now well underway.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne and Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora visited the redevelopment site to inspect the current site works on utilities and service upgrades ahead of major construction, including gas, water, sewerage and electricity to support the future hospital.
The medical gas supply, providing oxygen for ventilators and aspirators, has been successfully changed over to the mental health, community health and allied health buildings. This will ensure these critical services can continue to operate smoothly for patients as the project approaches major construction later this year.
Once complete, the new hospital will transform healthcare in the region, delivering a new multi-storey clinical services tower, bigger emergency department, 22 extra inpatient beds, more operating theatres, dedicated areas for pathology and dialysis services, and up to 400 car parks.
The redevelopment is one of the largest health infrastructure investments in regional Victoria, delivering a major boost to the local economy and creating around 800 jobs throughout construction.
As part of the project, a new off-site purpose-built Regional Logistics Distribution Centre was completed in January 2024, and is now delivering modern linen, supply and logistics services to more than 50 health services across south west Victoria.
Relocating these services off-site has freed up space at Warrnambool Base Hospital for a new clinical services building, paving the way for major construction to begin later this year.
The design of the new hospital will be shared in coming months, and has been shaped by the insights of more than 70 user group sessions with South West Healthcare staff and patients, and consultation with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to ensure cultural safety and inclusion.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, the Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment is expected to be completed in late 2027.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne
"We are now another step closer to major construction beginning of this massive redevelopment, that once complete, will deliver locals in Warrnambool and across the south west with world class health care closer to home."
As stated by Acting Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt
"Not only will the new Warrnambool Base Hospital help to improve wait times and patient experience, but the modern facility will also help the health service attract and retain doctors and nurses to the area."
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
"Victoria's south west deserve the best healthcare, and the progress on site is exciting for locals as we continue towards a bigger and better Warrnambool Hospital."
