Knox City Council has welcomed the Victorian Opposition's commitment of $600 million for a 250-bed tertiary hospital in the Wantirna Health Precinct.
Council has been working with the Victorian Government to establish a specialised health precinct in Wantirna, comprising a public hospital, complementary medical services, education and research facilities, accommodation and housing.
Knox Mayor Cr Susan Laukens said the precinct was envisioned to become a nationally recognised health centre for Melbourne's east.
"Council has been working in partnership with the Victorian Planning Authority, Department of Health, Department of Transport and Eastern Health to develop a visionary masterplan for the health precinct in Wantirna," she said.
"The 22-hectare site incorporates Wantirna Health, a 64-bed palliative and geriatric medicine hospital, along with a new public aged care facility adjacent to Knox Private Hospital, a 359 patient-bed facility providing a 24 hour emergency department.
"The Wantirna Health Precinct will be anchored by a new best-practice public hospital and complementary health, research and education facilities.
"The park-like setting offers a natural, nurturing and sustainable environment that promotes health and wellbeing for patients, visitors, workers and residents.
"The precinct will be an integrated centre that will provide better access to health care for people living in Melbourne's eastern region."
The Victorian Liberals and Nationals promise is contingent on a $300 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government for the precinct if elected at the November state election.
"It's really pleasing that Council is making progress in our advocacy efforts for the Wantirna Health Precinct and that different sides of politics are recognising the need for better public health facilities in Melbourne's outer east," Mayor Laukens concluded.
