The Andrews Labor Government’s $169.5 million world-class redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton has begun with builders on board and the first sod turned today.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today celebrated the historic milestone, kick starting early site preparation works for a bigger and better hospital to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region.
This massive expansion will include a new four-storey building with 64 inpatient beds, 10 intensive care unit beds, seven operating theatres and a new kitchen and morgue. A brand new emergency department will double the current capacity, featuring 36 treatment spaces and a nine-bed short stay unit.
More people than ever will be able to get the high quality and safe emergency care they need, faster and closer to home. The project is catering for growing families with a women’s and children’s area, and also an expanded 16-chair dialysis patients unit – more than doubling current capacity.
But the project will be a big win for the local economy as well, with more than 140 jobs created during the peak of construction. Lendlease has been chosen to build the state-of-the-art expansion with a proven track record building modern hospitals.
As part of the Local Jobs First policy, the builder is targeting a local content of 85 per cent and local steel of 91 per cent. Lendlease will work closely with the Industry Capability Network throughout the project to maximise local input into the project.
As part of the Victorian Government's Major Projects Skills Guarantee, the builder has also committed to at least 10 per cent of their workforce by labour hours being apprentices, trainees or engineering cadets.
In addition, this redevelopment sets a 2.5 per cent Aboriginal employment target as part of the Algabonyah Employment Partnerships Program.
Construction is expected to be completed by late 2020.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Today we are breaking ground and getting on with building a world class new hospital for the Shepparton community. Patients in the Goulburn Murray region will soon be able to access the high quality care they deserve, when they need it most.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“Not only does this project deliver quality health services for the community, it's creating new jobs and driving economic activity across the region. Best of all, local workers and local businesses will reap the benefits."
Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“We have worked hand-in-hand with the community to design a first class hospital to meet the needs of the region for years to come. With shovels now in the ground, I look forward to watching this massive project take shape.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020