More than 500 construction workers are on site and making major progress on Victoria’s biggest ever health infrastructure investment, with the foundations laid on the new Footscray Hospital.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the site to meet with workers and celebrate the completion of bulk earthworks, which have removed 360,0000 cubic metres of dirt and rock since construction started last March.
More than 24,000 trucks have moved through the site so far and the earthworks have made space for the new hospital’s underground carpark and foundations.
This paves the way for more of the project’s structure to start emerging from the ground this year, with the inpatient unit tower already visible from Geelong Road.
The new hospital will be operated by Western Health and 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 site’s workforce is growing as activity increases, surpassing 500 people working on the construction site each day. In 2023, the onsite workforce is expected to reach 2,000 as the hospital continues to take shape.
Since construction started, more than $2 million has been spent through Indigenous, disability and social enterprises to create employment opportunities, with more than $48 million expected to be invested in social procurement initiatives over the duration of the project.
To date, more than 60,000 hours worked on the project have been completed by trainees, apprentices, cadets, Indigenous people, people with a disability and disadvantaged Victorians.
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.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan
“It’s wonderful to see such incredible progress on the new Footscray Hospital – our biggest ever health infrastructure investment. We’re proud to be delivering this once-in-a-generation investment for Melbourne’s west.”
“Whether it’s delivering a brand-new hospital, upgrading road and rail, schools and hospitals – we’re making Melbourne’s west a great place to live and work.”
Original content from VIC Health. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Nina Alvarez is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel. Her interests include writing, particularly about the healthcare sector and the many ways it can improve to further benefit people from all walks of life.
