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Ballarat Base Hospital Newsletter #3 | September 2026
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Hospitals 01 September 2026

Ballarat Base Hospital Newsletter #3 | September 2026

Welcome to our Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment newsletter!

In this edition, you can learn about:

  • building progress and what’s coming up
  • the topping out milestone
  • the new perinatal floor
  • locals working on the redevelopment.
Before picture shows a dirt construction site and the after picture shows the build hospital

Building progress in 2025 (left) compared to mid-2026 (right).

We’ve got some exciting updates to share as works continue to power ahead on the third stage of this $655 million project.

The new seven-level hospital tower will include a new main entrance, emergency department, operating theatre suite, perinatal hub (pregnancy to post-birth services), helipad and an extra 100 inpatient and short stay beds.

Construction is on track for completion in 2027.

More patients treated

The redevelopment will ensure Ballarat Base Hospital has modern facilities that meet the needs of the growing Ballarat community.

It will provide capacity for:

  • an extra 4,000 surgeries each year
  • at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an extra 14,500 inpatients each year
  • more local jobs.

Find out more about the project, benefits and any upcoming disruptions on the project page.

How works are progressing

  • Structural works complete
  • Facade complete
  • Tower cranes coming down
  • Services and equipment installation underway in basement
  • Helipad installation underway
  • Interior fit-out underway including partitions, plastering, flooring, and services.

Reaching new heights

We recently celebrated the big ‘topping out’ milestone on your bigger, better Ballarat Base Hospital!

This means structural work on the seven-level tower has reached its highest point, becoming a permanent feature of the Ballarat skyline.

Peaking at 44 metres high, 360 tonnes of steel was used to help form the “bones” of the new hospital tower.

Ballarat Base Hospital reaches new heights

Accessible transcript

New multi-storey hospital building under construction with colourful exterior panels, rooftop scaffolding and a tower crane, overlooking the Ballarat city skyline under a clear blue sky.

One of four cranes used to build the tower's structure.

The external façade is also now complete, with more than 1,000 panels made of glass, aluminium and reinforced concrete – some weighing up to 1.2 tonnes each.

Covering 8,400 square metres, the design allows for sunlight to flood into patient rooms, helping to create a positive recovery experience.

Close up view of the outside of the hospital

Facade panels are now in place.

Did you know?

The colours for the facade were inspired by the local landscape including Burrumbeet Plains, Buninyong, Ballarat city, Lake Wendouree and Creswick Forest.

A look into the future

Here are two images of what your new hospital tower will look like.

Two people walking down the hospital corridor
Paediatric waiting room and entry to the emergency department.
Inside the waiting room of the hospital
Family lounge with activities for children.

To see more artist impressions, visit the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment project page.

Improving care for young families

The new hospital tower includes a perinatal floor to provide care for parents and their newborns – before, during and after birth.

‘Perinatal’ refers to the time around birth, both the months prior and the weeks after.

The floor will include:

  • five birthing suites
  • 23 postnatal beds – supporting mothers during the first four weeks after birth
  • 12 neonatal cots – supporting babies during the first 28 days after birth.

Kelly Kara, Grampians Health Director of Women’s and Children’s Services and Patient Experience says,

“The perinatal period is such a significant time for parents and families, and we get to accompany them on that important journey.

The redevelopment will ensure Grampians Health continues to provide families and their newborns with the very best care, in modern, purpose-built facilities.”

Supporting careers

It truly takes a village to bring a project like the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment to life.

So far, 1,721 people have worked on site, including over 400 locals – working a combined total of 592,354 hours.

Meet the locals helping shape Ballarat’s future

Close up of a woman wearing a hard hat

Nicole Lancer
Project Director, Grampians Health

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Adelaide, but I have lived in Ballarat for the last five years.

Tell us about your role on-site?

I lead the team responsible for staff engagement, coordinating department moves, organising equipment, and ensuring the hospital continues to run during construction.

What do you enjoy about working on this project?

My passion lies in designing and constructing large social infrastructure projects. I love knowing that working on this project positively contributes to my community.

What’s your favourite thing about Ballarat?

Friendly people, beautiful vistas, 8-minute walk to work, relaxing place to live.

What local spot would you recommend?

1816 Bakehouse is my go-to for pastries! Or Creswick Forest for a quick 4WD on the weekend.

Close up of a woman wearing glasses and a hard hat

Yasmin Carrigg
Apprentice Electrician, Fredon

Where are you from?

I’m from Ballarat!

Tell us about your role on site?

My role involves assisting with the installation of electrical and power across the project while learning from qualified electricians.

What do you enjoy about working on this project?

Seeing the build take shape and learning about the complex work that goes on behind the scenes to deliver a hospital project.

What’s your favourite thing about Ballarat?

The regional atmosphere and the strong sense of community.

What local spot would you recommend?

I strongly recommend Lake Wendouree. It’s a beautiful spot and always offers a great view, no matter the time of day.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment project acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the Ballarat Base Hospital sits, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples, and their connections to land, waterways and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Illustration of community engagement for the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment

Learn more about the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment via our dedicated project page.

Keep up to date with the projects that matter to you. Sign up to get the latest news and infrastructure updates from VHBA.

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Last updated: 01 September 2026