By Matthew Sims
The Footscray Hospital project has surpassed another milestone, with bulk earthworks completed and the foundation laid at the new site.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited the site on Tuesday, July 12 to to meet with workers.
More than 500 construction workers have removed 360,000 cubic metres of dirt and rock since construction started last March.
The new Western Health hospital will have more than 500 beds and have the ability to treat close to 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.
Ms Allan said it was “wonderful” to see the progress of the project in person.
“We’re proud to be delivering this once-in-a-generation investment for Melbourne’s west,” she said.
“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.”
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.
The work has made 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.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said
“This hospital will bring state-of-the-art care to local families and provide our expert doctors, nurses and allied health staff with the facilities they need to keep people healthy,” she said.
“The new hospital is taking shape before our eyes and with more than 500 workers onsite it’s no surprise. The workforce is a huge boost the local economy, providing jobs and other growth opportunities for the booming west.”
The new facilities would replace the current hospital on Gordon Street, which was built in the 1950s and has been scheduled to open in 2025.
