Delivering The First Stage Of A New Melton Hospital

MELBOURNE, Vic., Australia, 19 October 2018 /PRNewswire Policy/ -- A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will start planning for a new Melton Hospital to give locals a 24-hour public hospital close to home.

Melton is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia and only Labor will make sure locals have the very best, affordable public health care.

The Labor Government has already delivered a new operating theatre and maternity unit at Djerriwarrh Health Service, is building new ambulance stations at Melton and Bacchus Marsh and has cut ambulance response times by almost four minutes.

There's more to do and only Labor can be trusted to do the work that's needed to give Melton families a new public hospital.

That's why a re-elected Labor Government will invest $2.3 million to begin planning and complete a business case for a new hospital at Toolern, on the outskirts of Melton.

Toolern's population is expected to grow from 1,000 to 55,000 residents over coming decades and is the site of a new train station the Labor Government is currently building on the Ballarat Line, making the new hospital easily accessible for residents right across the region.

This vital planning work will determine the exact location, size and range of services the new Melton Hospital will provide, and how it will link into services at other public hospitals in the western region, including Labor's new Footscray Hospital.

The Labor Government has already begun shortlisting sites for the new hospital with the intention of acquiring the land through the growth areas infrastructure contribution – an existing levy paid by developers to provide infrastructure in Melbourne's growing fringe suburbs.

The Victorian Liberals cut more than $1 billion out of our health system, closing hospital beds and leaving thousands of Victorians stuck on waiting lists.

The Federal Liberal Government has delivered health cuts that mean Djerriwarrh Health Service will miss out on $874,000 over 3 years – that's 53 hip replacements, 1,698 dialysis sessions and 787 chemotherapy treatments.

Only Labor will make sure Melton families get the very best, affordable public healthcare close to home.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Melton is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and locals deserve a 24-hour public hospital for the very best care, close to home. With this investment, we'll make sure they get one.”

“From train stations to ambulance stations, and now planning for a new hospital, only Labor invests in the West.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We've already upgraded Djerriwarrh Health Service and we're building new ambulance stations at Bacchus Marsh and Melton, but there's more to do and only Labor will deliver a new 24-hour public hospital for Melton.”

Download the Media Release (634 KB)

SOURCE State of Victoria, Premier