Melton Hospital: $2.3 million commitment for business case

MELTON Hospital is one step closer to being a reality, with state Labor promising a business case for the 24-hour public hospital if they’re re-elected.

MELTON Hospital is one step closer to being a reality, with state Labor promising a business case for the project if they’re re-elected.

It follows a campaign led by Melton Council for a 24-hour public hospital to service the growing population west of Melbourne.

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The state government announced this morning it would allocate $2.3 million to start on hospital plans and do a business case.

Its preferred site for the hospital is in Toolern, south of Melton.

Planning work would determine the exact location, size and range of services available at the hospital, the government said.

Melton Councilor Bob Turner and council staff are on the Melton train platform every morning this week handing out flyers to commuters and getting signatures for the Fund Our Future petition.Pictured at Melton station are left Matthew Milbourne ( council officer) , Allan Perry ( Melton Residence association ) and Cr Bob Turner Picture Mark Wilson

Melton Mayor Bob Turner said he was thrilled with the government’s commitment.

He said the next step was ensuring construction would start by 2022.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Melton residents “deserve a 24-hour public hospital” and “with this investment, we’ll make sure they get one”.

He said Toolern was chosen because it was the site of a planned train station.

Toolern’s population was expected to grow from 1000 to 55,000 people over the next few decades, according to government projections.