THE New Bendigo Hospital Project is a game-changing investment for Bendigo, says Premier Denis Napthine.
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Announcing the Exemplar consortium as the preferred bidder for the $630 million during a visit to Bendigo yesterday, Dr Napthine said the new hospital would be the best hospital anywhere in regional Australia.
The new hospital will be built on one site at Barnard Street and feature: 372 new beds and 10 new operating theatres; an integrated cancer centre and mental health unit; a helipad to be built on top of a new multi-story car park on the Lucan Street site; and a bridge link to connect the car park to the main hospital site.
“We are going to deliver the best hospital, the best health service that this region will ever see,” Dr Napthine said.
“And this is going to be the best in regional Australia, the best regionally anywhere in the world and this is a great result for Bendigo.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic announcement for Bendigo.”
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The hospital project will also deliver: a childcare and wellness centre; 128 serviced apartments and 15 apartments for short stay accommodation; new kitchen, supply and linen handling facility within the new hospital; 180 seat conference facility; a large atrium as the entrance with retail, cafes and multiple internal courtyards; enhanced landscaping across the entire hospital precinct; refurbishment and reuse of some heritage buildings; and the latest integrated technology nurse call system.
“It’s going to be a single integrated site which is a fantastic outcome for the management of the hospital, a great outcome for the people of Bendigo,” Dr Napthine said.
“This is going to be a game-changing investment in Bendigo in terms of the health services, in terms of the jobs created, in terms of the economic benefit.”
The Exemplar consortia, featuring builder Lend Lease, outbid Theiss-backed Intercare.
Dr Naphine congratulated both bidders on their hard work yesterday and said they had “really sharpened their pencils”.
“Today’s a great day for Bendigo and indeed the whole of central Victoria and north west Victoria when the Coalition has announced that Exemplar is the preferred bidder of the new Bendigo hospital,” he said.
“This hospital will be a magnificent state-of-the-art hospital.
“This will be the biggest investment in hospital and health infrastructure in regional Australia.”
Minister for Health David Davis was also at yesterday’s announcement and said the Victorian government had met its election commitment and was set to deliver much more.
“The Coalition government, thorough the Public Private Partnership and Best and Final Offer tender process, has driven a better deal, better value for money and additional amenities for the community of Bendigo and north west Victoria,” Mr Davis said.