Eddie Russell
The state government has announced Exemplar Health consortium will lead the design, construction, and financing of the Melton Hospital.
It means work on the $900 million public hospital, which will service communities in Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Melton, and Bacchus Marsh, can begin soon.
A consortium is an association made up of several companies.
Among the Exemplar Health consortium are investors Lendlease Infrastructure Investments, Invesis, and Capella Capital, who are also sponsors of the project.
Lendlease will build the hospital, while management of facilities and maintenance will be shared by Honeywell Group and Compass Group.
The consortium will be responsible for maintaining the facility for the next 25 years and was selected following an evaluation process which prioritised value-for-money.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas said the appointment was a “significant step” in the project, which would make a “huge difference for local families”.
The establishment of the site’s utilities and services is already underway.
Melton MP Steve McGhie welcomed the build, saying it was a major economic boost for the area as well as an important health service.
“The new hospital will truly transform Melton into a major hub, not just for healthcare but for local jobs, education and training, too,” he said.
More than 2,400 jobs will be created for construction alone, with a further 3,975 jobs to be added once the hospital opens in 2029.
With the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year from its 274 beds, the Melton Hospital will feature 24-hour emergency care, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, mental health services, radiology services, outpatient care, and teaching, training and research spaces.
Located at 245A Ferris Road, it will be Victoria’s first fully-electric hospital and is to be operated by Western Health.
The extension of Bridge Road to connect the hospital to Ferris Road is nearing completion in anticipation of construction commencing this year.
The Victorian Health Building Authority will oversee the build following their work at the new Footscray Hospital.
