The Andrews Labor Government is on track to deliver the biggest health infrastructure project in Victoria’s history with the $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital starting to take shape.
Minister for Health Martin Foley and Member for Footscray Katie Hall today visited the busy construction site on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads to view how construction is progressing on the massive project for Melbourne’s booming west.
Since construction got underway in March last year, about 330,000 cubic metres of dirt and rock have been removed from the site as part of work to build the underground carpark and ground floor.
Eight concrete slabs have been poured including the first suspended slab for the 12-storey hospital. An impressive 36,000 tonnes of concrete have been poured on the site. Once complete, approximately 150,000 tonnes of concrete will have been used – that’s about 25 Olympic swimming pools worth.
The Integrated Practice Unit (IPU) tower is emerging and will soon be visible to the public from the street. Ten tower cranes support the 150 people working on the hospital’s construction site with the workforce expected to reach 500 by the middle of the year.
The new Footscray Hospital will replace the current hospital on Gordon Street, which was built in the 1950s. Set to open in 2025, it will support the growing population across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Operated by Western Health, the new hospital will have more than 500 beds, treat almost 15,000 additional patients and allow 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 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 $133 billion in funding since coming into office – ensuring all Victorians have access to the care, treatment and support they need to stay healthy and well.
As stated by Minister for Health Martin Foley
“We’re not wasting a single minute delivering the biggest hospital project in Victoria’s history and creating an additional 2000 jobs when they’re needed most.”
As stated by member for Footscray Katie Hall
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment for Footscray and Melbourne’s west. Our hardworking healthcare workers deserve world-class modern facilities to do what they do best – keep local families healthy and save lives. The progress made on the project since construction got underway last year is phenomenal.”
