Plans for $75m Parkville hospital fast-tracked

An 11-storey hospital on the doorstep of the CBD has been given the green light for construction, despite resident backlash.

An artist's impression of the new hospital to be built in Parkville.

A new 11-storey hospital will be built in Melbourne’s Parkville medical precinct after being approved by the state government.

The private hospital — to be built across the road from the Royal Women’s Hospital and close to the Royal Children’s Hospital and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre — will provide more than 200 beds for Victorians.

The Herald Sun can reveal the hospital, to be built on the corner of Flemington Rd and Errol St, will be fast-tracked for construction despite opposition from North Melbourne residents over its height, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.

The $75m-plus project, given the green light through the government’s “Development Facilitation Program”, will also be based near headquarters for the Australian Medical Association and Bio21 Institute.

An artist's impression of the new hospital to be built at North Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said: “We’ve given the green light for a new hospital to be built in Victoria’s world-leading biomedical precinct.

“The new hospital is consistent with the plans for the Parkville precinct, an established research cluster on the doorstep of the CBD for education, health, professional and technical industries.”

The new hospital is expected to include pathology, medical imaging, seven operating rooms, 10 ICU rooms, and hospital beds.

The hospital has a revised height limit and will be built between five and 11 storeys in different sections. Picture: Supplied

Nearby residents late last year protested 11-storey height limits proposed for the site, then occupied by a Mercure Hotel.

They also raised concerns about the application bypassing City of Melbourne planning consideration and going straight to the government for approval because it was worth more than $70m.

But the government said it consulted with the community and council on the application and amendments were made accordingly.

They included changes to building heights on different areas, setbacks to avoid overshadowing and better site access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

Residents protested the 11-storey development late last year. Picture: Supplied

The revised height limit will see the new hospital built between five and 11 storeys in different sections.

Like much of the world-class Parkville medical precinct, the hospital will be served by a train line for the first time when the Metro Tunnel opens later this year.

The government said its Development Facilitation Program “streamlines planning process for projects that boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes and facilities for Victorians.’’

Originally published as Plans for $75m Parkville hospital fast-tracked