HEALTH Minister David Davis toured the new Bendigo Hospital project site on Friday to mark one year since the contract was signed for the $630 million development.
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Major achievements in the first year include the excavation of more than 149,000 tonnes of soil, more than 15,000 square metres of concrete poured; all four cranes on site; work started on radiation therapy bunkers; ground floor more than half complete and workers started on the new front entrance.
About 170 workers on site have worked a combined total of 100,000 hours.
Mr Davis also released the detailed internal and external designs of the new hospital, embargoed for publication until Friday afternoon.
"This is a magnificent example of further progress on site," Mr Davis said.
"I know work is being undertaken inside on some of the mock rooms to actually make sure that the design fits the needs of the clinicians and the staff of Bendigo Health. This new Bendigo Hospital will be a magnificent site."
Mr Davis thanked everyone involved in the project for their dedication and hard work.
"I welcome the work that has been completed," he said.
"It's just a tiny bit ahead of time and actually going very much according to plan.
"I think it's a tribute to the leadership of Bendigo Health and the board, the CEO and the clinical and other staff of Bendigo Health.
"The model that's been adopted here, the project lead through my department, has also been incredibly important.
"It's a partnership and the partnership is going to deliver a better outcome.
"So one year on, it's a bit of a time for a stocktake to see the progress."
Mr Davis toured an area that will be home to the new radiotherapy bunkers and front entrance.
"The Victorian Coalition government is delivering on our $630 million commitment to build a bigger and better hospital in Bendigo," he said.
"This new world-class hospital is one of the largest regional healthcare projects ... the project is rapidly rising from the ground."