By Olivia Condous
Melton will finally gain a new hospital to meet growing healthcare demands in the western suburbs.
In the state government 2022-2023 budget released today, $900 million in funding was announced for a new tertiary hospital to be built in Cobblebank.
The hospital will provide a 24-hour emergency department, more than 100 medical and surgical beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, ambulatory care and a range of clinical supports.
Construction is expected to commence at the beginning of 2023 with full completion of the project expected to be fully completed by the end of 2029.
The new hospital will be designed as an all-electric hospital to remove the need for gas, in order to support the government’s climate policy and renewable energy targets.
This funding includes $70 million provided in previous budgets to plan, acquire land and deliver early works for a total investment of between $0.9–$1 billion.
Final designs for the hospital will be informed by community and stakeholder feedback.
The new hospital will provide hundreds of local jobs in construction and also health care after the hospital opens.
The funding for the Melton hospital is part of a $2.9 billion package to build new hospitals and upgrade existing ones across Victoria.
Victorian health minister Martin Foley said the pandemic reminded residents that health and wellbeing matters the most.
“Our healthcare workers across the state go above and beyond to give Victorians world-class care, and we’re investing to make sure they’ve got world-class hospitals and medical equipment to match,” Mr Foley said.
“This is about giving Victorians the confidence that when they need medical care, they’ll get it in a first-rate health and hospital system.”
