$541m redevelopment underway for Ballarat Base Hospital, builder to deliver stage two

Ballarat Base Hospital will get a massive $541m upgrade with a major increase in services and the number of patients to be handled.

Artist Impression: $541m redevelopment for Ballarat Base Hospital. Picture: Victorian Health Building Authority

A builder has been appointed to deliver stage two of the more than $500m redevelopment of the Ballarat Base Hospital.

Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced on Monday that builder John Holland has been assigned to take on stage two of the $541m expansion of the Ballarat Base Hospital, which includes construction of a new central energy plant and support services building on Drummond Street.

A state-of-the-art pharmacy, pathology services, the Grampians Health and Deakin Rural Clinical School Education and Learning Centre will also be housed in the new building, providing the best care for locals close to home.

“This is an exciting step for the biggest infrastructure project in Ballarat’s history — creating more local jobs and giving local families access to the world-class healthcare they deserve,” Ms Thomas said.

The upgraded hospital will be able to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and 14,500 more inpatients each year.

Wendouree state Labor MP Juliana Addison said: “This new state-of-the-art building is critical to delivering a bigger, better Ballarat Base Hospital and providing the hardworking hospital staff and local community with the best possible modern facilities,”

During the construction, infrastructure upgrades will be carried out to support the existing site, ensuring the hospital can be powered during an emergency.

Construction of stage one was completed by Ballarat builder H. Troon earlier this year and included significant refurbishment and demolition works.

Stage three — the main works — includes construction of the multi-level tower, new emergency department, a women's and children’s hub, a state-of-the-art theatre suite and an extra 100 inpatient and short-stay beds.

The search for a builder to deliver stage three of the redevelopment will begin in mid-2023, with the main works on track to get underway in 2024.