Joining forces for a new hospital

West Gippsland Healthcare Group and Baw Baw Shire have formed a partnership to lobby for a new $500 million West Gippsland Hospital.

Council has pledged its support to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WGHG to jointly progress advocacy and planning.

Councillors unanimously supported the agreement, which will be signed by both parties next week.

The agreement will formalise council and WGHG’s commitment to work together to secure a new $500 million hospital at a 23.6 hectare greenfield site at Drouin East.

Through the MoU, council and WGHG will not only advocate for funding, but also progress and resolve planning, zoning and urban design matters such as integration with the existing road and public transport networks, provision of public open space and pedestrian/bike links.

The new hospital is expected to create 1018 direct employment opportunities and an additional $410 million in demand for goods and services

In a report to council, officers said the existing hospital was a vital asset struggling to keep up with demand and regional population growth.

“Historically, West Gippsland has continually missed out on significant State Government funding due to proximity to existing hospitals in Casey, Latrobe and Bass Coast.

“However, with a well-positioned greenfield site, rapid population growth and strain on existing medical services in the area, there is a strong case for significant investment in a new hospital,” the report said.

Cr Darren Wallace said there were ultimately two major infrastructure projects that were holding the region back – a regional hospital and a tertiary education facility.

“The land is secured, we just need the money for a new hospital.

“We’ve sat back and watched hundreds of millions in healthcare dollars sail over our heads to the Latrobe Valley.

“We can no longer be ignored because of stupid party politics at Spring Street in Melbourne,” he said.

Cr Wallace said hospitals were not the responsibility of local government but council and the community still had a role to play in lobbying Spring St.

Cr Annemarie McCabe said a new hospital was definitely a cause for collaboration.

“We need a new modern healthcare facility that caters to the growing needs of our population in Baw Baw Shire.

“Council’s support for this MoU shows that we will do whatever we can to progress the plans of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group to secure the necessary State Government funding to make it happen.”

Cr Tricia Jones said a lot had changed in hospitals since the current hospital was built.

She said it was an ageing building, that was servicing an expanded catchment.

“Our hospital is booming and it’s critical we have access to the care and specialist services,” she said.

Cr Joe Gauci said a new hospital was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

He said the MoU showed council was 100 per cent behind a new hospital.

“This is out there for the public to know we are doing all we can to support our hospital,” he said.

Cr Keith Cook said as the community had grown, the hospital had sections added onto it.

He said the original building was now almost unrecognisable.

“We all know there comes a point in time when enough is enough,” he said.