PLANNING of Bendigo’s new $630 million hospital progressed yesterday after the state government entered into the final offer phase of negotiations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Health Minister David Davis said two consortiums had submitted their proposals to build the state-of-the-art facility.
Mr Davis said both proposals were of high quality but a number of issues needed to be clarified.
“In January, each bidder will be asked to submit updated proposals in a short, sharp, best and final offer phase that will drive value for the state,” he said.
“The process will be wrapped up in six weeks of receipt of those documents.
“The government is determined to get the very best outcome and will move as quickly as possible.
“We owe this to the people of Bendigo.”
Mr Davis said that after the proposals had been assessed, the preferred tender for the project would be announced, allowing construction to begin.
“The new Bendigo hospital is a strategic project under the Victorian Industry Participation Policy, which means that bidders are required to meet local content targets,” he said.
“The tender documents require bidders to comply with the Victorian government’s new Implementation Guidelines to the Victorian Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry.”
Mr Davis said the new phase reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering a new health facility for families in Bendigo and the Loddon Mallee region.
“This will deliver better health outcomes and create 735 construction industry and supply chain jobs, providing a welcome boost to the local Bendigo economy,” he said.
The hospital will have 372 new acute inpatient beds, 10 new operating theatres, a new Integrated Regional Cancer Centre, a mother and baby unit, a headspace facility and research and education facilities.