What will the Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment deliver?
The project will provide a world-class hospital to improve access to care for the local community.
The redevelopment will deliver:
- an urgent care centre
- 32 inpatient beds
- a new maternity unit and birthing suites
- two operating theatres and recovery spaces
- a day medical centre including clinical imaging, pharmacy and pathology services
- consultant suites
- reception area
- additional car parking.
New birthing suites will mean local women can give birth in Maryborough, close to their family and loved ones.
When complete, Maryborough’s dedicated doctors and nurses will have the bigger and better facilities they need to treat an additional 4,000 patients every year. Patient experience will also be improved.
The redeveloped hospital will also enable better integration with other primary health and community services.
How much is the Victorian Government investing in the Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment?
The 2021/22 State Budget invested $94.8 million to construct the redeveloped hospital. This funding is in addition to $5.2 million provided for planning and land acquisition, taking the project’s total investment to $100 million.
Who is designing the hospital redevelopment?
Architects Silver Thomas Hanley have been appointed to design the redevelopment. It will involve a new purpose-built facility being constructed to the south of the existing hospital.
Will the redevelopment include additional car parking?
The redevelopment will provide more than 80 additional on-site car parking spaces for staff and visitors, with improvements to drop-off areas.
What will the new hospital look like?
The artist impressions reveal a first look at the hospital’s exterior, main entry and new clinical spaces.
The modern design and layout combined with the co-location of services will improve patient flow and deliver better care.
To view the design images, go to our gallery.
What was the design process?
The project’s design team has worked closely with Maryborough District Health Service to develop the hospital design based on clinical service needs.
The process has included consultation with staff, patients and carers to ensure the consumer and user experience was considered in the clinical design.
The team is also consulting with representatives of the Dja Dja Wurrung community as part of the design process.
The design team has reviewed the feedback from a broader community survey to further enhance the public, patient and staff hospital experience.
How will this project consider local heritage?
The design team has closely considered the surrounding buildings and landscape in the design of the new building and façade.
Design elements from neighbouring buildings have been incorporated as part of the design that respects and reflects the heritage and local environment in the area.
In the final stage of the project, the ancillary buildings along Clarendon Street will be demolished to reveal the original hospital building.
Who is delivering the Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment and carrying out early works?
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority on behalf of the Department of Health.
Local contractor SJ Weir has been appointed to carry out early works on the redevelopment. Early works to prepare the site and make way for the redevelopment began in June 2022.
What will the early works deliver?
The scope of early works includes:
- site preparations including the relocation of in-ground services and demolition of buildings
- relocation and refurbishment of dental services to the existing medical centre in Neill Street
- relocation and refurbishment of family services facilities accessible from Florence Lane
- new on-site car parking (with more than 40 new spaces to be delivered in this stage) between Clarendon Street and Florence Lane.
The early works are targeted to be completed in early 2023.
At the same time, Maryborough District Health Service has undertaken minor refurbishments to relocate physiotherapy and allied health services to High Street.
When will the new hospital open?
Construction of the new hospital building is expected to start in early 2023 and is targeted for completion by late 2024. The external forecourt and landscaping is targeted to be completed in early 2025.
How many jobs will the project create?
The project is expected to create and sustain around 300 construction industry jobs.
What is the approvals process for redevelopment?
The Department of Health has used a town planning exemption under the Planning and Environment Act. This will progress the development of the Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment project.
This means the project is exempt from the provisions of the Central Goldfields Shire Planning Scheme and is not subject to local council town planning requirements.
This approach is consistent with other major hospital developments.
Has the local council been engaged in planning for the redevelopment?
Although exempt from local council town planning requirements, the project team have met with Central Goldfields Shire Council to present the progress of the redevelopment. We will continue to liaise with local council and work through any issues as they arise.
How is the local community being engaged in the project?
The local community was invited to get involved by participating in a community survey. The survey sought input on how to create a welcoming hospital atmosphere for patients and users.
The survey was published online on the Engage Victoria website from mid-June to mid-July 2022. The opportunity to get involved was promoted in local media and on social media and hard copies were available from the hospital.
The project team has also started engagement with representatives from the Dja Dja Wurrung community.
A community information session was held in August 2022. This session gave the community a chance to see the early designs and floor plans, and speak to the project team to learn more about the project.
A project industry briefing was held in October 2022. The briefing enabled local trades and suppliers to learn about the project, how to submit an Expression of Interest and submission timings.
View the program and recording
How will community feedback be used to shape the redevelopment?
The survey collected feedback on what the community would like to see in the hospital’s communal waiting area, outdoor and terrace spaces. This includes artwork, plants and interactive activities.
The feedback from the survey has been collated into a report. The report has been shared with the project team for consideration in the final design of the redevelopment.
Read the community survey report.
What are the benefits to the local community?
The local community will benefit from better access to world-class healthcare and facilities as part of the Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment project.
Ballarat-based builder SJ Weir has been engaged to deliver the early works in the project. This represents a significant win for local trades and suppliers.
The early works package includes the construction of the first stage of new-onsite car parking at the hospital by early 2023.
When will major construction begin?
The main works construction is expected to start in early 2023. The new hospital building is targeted for completion in late 2024. The external forecourt and landscaping are targeted to be completed in early 2025.
Will nearby residents and businesses be impacted by construction?
The Maryborough and District Hospital redevelopment is a major construction project. It is expected there will be some temporary impacts that may affect the local community when major construction starts.
Temporary impacts are likely to include:
- increased vehicle and people movement in the area
- temporary changes to access around the hospital site
- construction noise.
These impacts will be regularly monitored and managed.
The project team will work closely with neighbouring residents, businesses and Council to minimise construction impacts where possible, and understand any issues or concerns.
Who can I contact about construction impacts?
If you have any questions or wish to speak to the project team, please contact the Victorian Health Building Authority at vhba@health.vic.gov.au.
What are the work hours?
Local council bylaws allow construction works to take place between the hours of 7.00 am - 8.00 pm on Monday to Friday, and 9.00 am - 6.00 pm Saturday.
Wherever possible, noise generating activities will be scheduled during normal working hours.
Some out-of-hours works may be required throughout construction and will be subject to After Hours Permits being granted by the Council. Neighbouring residents and businesses will be notified in this instance.