The Andrews Labor Government is making major progress on Victoria’s biggest ever health infrastructure project to date – with the first three buildings of the new Footscray Hospital hitting structural completion.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the site of the Labor Government’s newest hospital in Melbourne’s west to see the first three buildings now reaching their maximum height, and mark the project reaching its halfway point overall.
As well as delivering world-class care to families in the growing western suburbs, these three buildings feature a new education and research centre for nurse training, research and learning that will be occupied by Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus and be accessible via a public-use pedestrian footbridge across Ballarat Road.
A commercial building on Tiernan St will house a health and medical precinct across its five storeys, as well as a childcare facility and retail spaces – and a new car park building will contain four storeys of staff parking, integrated green wall gardens, a gymnasium, retail spaces and community areas opening onto the Village Green.
The buildings are the first of five major structures that will make up the new hospital precinct, with the main 10 storey hospital building and five storey sub-acute building due to be structurally complete next year.
The new Footscray Hospital will be operated by Western Health and have more than 500 beds, treating almost 15,000 extra patients and allowing almost 20,000 extra people to be seen by the emergency department each year. There will also be more outpatient, mental health, palliative care and surgical services.
The new facility – on track to be finished in 2025 – will replace the current hospital on Gordon St, supporting the growing population across Melbourne’s western suburbs to get the treatment and care they deserve.
The new hospital is one of the countless health projects being delivered across Melbourne’s west – including the new Melton Hospital, Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital and major upgrades at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
The Labor Government has made unprecedented investments in Victoria’s health system, with more than $158 billion in funding since 2014 – giving every single Victorian access to the care, treatment and support they need.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re so proud to be delivering this once-in-a-generation health investment in Melbourne’s west – the biggest hospital project in our state’s history for one of our fastest-growing communities.”
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“Crews are working tirelessly to get this huge project off the ground – in just two years, families in our western suburbs will have access to these brand-new facilities, and our dedicated healthcare workers will have the best facilities to deliver their expert care.”
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“Families in the west are seeing the results of the Labor Government’s huge investments – from our biggest ever health infrastructure project to better rail connections, upgraded roads, new schools and TAFE facilities.”
