Andrews Government wants Barwon women’s, children’s hospital construction to start this year

Construction of a Barwon women’s and children’s hospital is planned to start later this year but the Andrews’ Government is still looking for a builder.

Construction of a Barwon women’s and children’s hospital will start later this year despite the project not yet securing a builder, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.

“More families need more services, more care and more support closer to home, that is why a while ago we committed $100m to the new women’s and children’s hospital – not just for Geelong but the entire Barwon region,” Mr Andrews said during a visit to Geelong on Friday.

“We asked ... would that be enough money? And the answer was, of course, that we should do more and we should go bigger than the original plan.”

Barwon Health announcement

He said at least $500m had been committed to the project through the Victorian budget 2022-23, however additional figures would remain unknown until the tendering process was complete.

“This is a massive project, one of the biggest health projects in regional Australia,” he said.

“We are talking about 173 points of care, so that is more beds, more wards, more space to treat mums and bubs, birthing suites,induction spaces, operating theatres and, of course, 26 special care nursery beds.

“Early works will begin very soon, some older buildings will be taken down, fences will go up and demolition work will begin very soon.”

The new hospital will be built alongside the existing Geelong hospital, with stage 1 to be completed in late 2025 and stage 2to be completed in 2029.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier was critical of the state government’s timeline.

“Labor’s mismanagement has put our health system on life support,” Ms Crozier said.

“Daniel Andrews is taking Geelong and surrounding communities for fools – an 11-year wait for a new hospital in the middle of a health crisis is completely unacceptable.”

At the announcement, Mr Andrews was asked if private hospital workers could also expect a $3000 cash bonus after Thursday's announcement.

“I value the work of every health professional regardless of the setting, but we don’t employ that staff, they are employed by private companies,” he said.

Originally published as Andrews Government wants Barwon women’s, children’s hospital construction to start this year