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New Footscray Hospital Project Newsletter #11 | May 2025
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Hospitals 21 May 2025

New Footscray Hospital Project Newsletter #11 | May 2025

Welcome to the latest new Footscray Hospital (NFH) project newsletter. In this issue:

  • the new hospital enters its final year of construction
  • timeline of onsite works lookahead
  • final finishes and testing
  • local students help bring central green space to life
  • artist Olana Janfa brings community-led art to the space
  • Yarraville Festival and a time capsule for your new Footscray Hospital
  • join the team at the new Footscray Hospital
  • walking for the west
  • meet the team: Lyn Bongiovanni, Manager, Interpreting Services, Western Health
  • from the archives: did you know?

Final year of construction

Four years ago, construction began on the new Footscray Hospital site. Now in its final year, it’s an exciting time for the community in the west as hospital and university staff, volunteers and students ready to move into the new facility. Fit out works are almost done, with internal testing underway.

The first greenery arrived onsite, with Footscray Primary School students getting involved in the planting. Landscaping is progressing, with courtyards and external spaces nearing completion.

At the peak of construction, 1,500 workers were on-site, now reduced to 600. Over six million work hours have been completed. The pedestrian footbridge connecting the hospital to Victoria University is near completion, with final glazing underway.

Hospital intersection upgrades at Ballarat Road and Geelong Road entrances are being staged. The community will be kept informed about impacts.

  • Step 3
    APRIL Installation of MRI machine and other major medical equipment. Playground being installed in the central green space.
    Step 3
    APRIL
    Installation of MRI machine and other major medical equipment. Playground being installed in the central green space.
  • Step 1
    MAY Start of independent testing as part of testing and commissioning phase. Installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment continues.
    Step 1
    MAY
    Start of independent testing as part of testing and commissioning phase. Installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment continues.
  • Step 1
    JUNE Testing and commissioning continues.
    Step 1
    JUNE
    Testing and commissioning continues.
  • Step 5
    APRIL - JUNE Ongoing roadworks on new hospital intersections at Geelong and Ballarat roads. Landscaping works across site.
    Step 5
    APRIL - JUNE
    Ongoing roadworks on new hospital intersections at Geelong and Ballarat roads. Landscaping works across site.
Modern grey industrial bridge runs over a busy road

Final glazing is underway on the new Footscray Hospital footbridge.

A unique timber slatted facade is eye catching

Hospital Street's completed timber ceiling is a unique design feature.

Colourful flowers, grass and a wooden bench create an inviting green space to take a break

Native tree and shrub planting has transformed the centre hospital precinct.

A new hospital bed still in its packaging

Installation of equipment and medical fixtures, including hospital beds, has begun.

What is testing and commissioning?

Testing and commissioning ensures the hospital is fully operational for patients. This includes final cleaning, air testing, staff training, and medication stocking.

Local students help plant greenery

Two children and a man digging holes and removing plants from plastic pots, ready to plant

Students from Footscray Primary School rolled up their sleeves to help with planting in the central green space at the new Footscray Hospital.

Incorporating art in hospital spaces enhances patient wellbeing by promoting warmth, calmness, and positive distraction.

Read more

Artist Olana Janfa brings community-led art to the hospital

Ethiopian-born, Melbourne-based artist Olana Janfa will create community-led artworks for the new Footscray Hospital precinct.

Olana will lead creative workshops with the community to create 80 original works based on the themes of hope, strength and family.

Incorporating art in hospital spaces enhances patient wellbeing by promoting warmth, calmness, and positive distraction.

A man in a colourful outfit stands infront of their artwork

'When I first arrived in Australia, Footscray welcomed me with warmth, kindness and a sense of belonging.

The sense of connection I have found here is something I strive to replicate in my works, so that patients, visitors and staff of the new Footscray Hospital feel just as welcomed and valued.’

Olana Janfa, artist

New Footscray Hospital time capsule

Curious children and their parents mill around a table of curiousities

We recently spoke with community members at the Yarraville Festival about ideas for items to include in your new Footscray Hospital time capsule.

What do you feel represents Footscray and the West today?

Email us at nfhproject@health.vic.gov.au.

Join the new Footscray Hospital team

An older woman beams at the camera

Do you have a passion for supporting the well-being of patients, staff and visitors?

Compass Group, who provide services to the new Footscray Hospital is recruiting for various roles.

Find out more on the Compass Group website.

Walking for the West

A woman runs triumpant through a finish line followed by a crowd

Hundreds took part in WalkWest, hosted by the Western Health Foundation on Sunday 23 February.

Key partners including Plenary Health raised over $150,000 to go towards robotic surgery machines for when the new Footscray Hospital opens.

Meet the team

Lyn Bongiovanni, Manager, Intepreting Services, Western Health

In the cultural melting pot of Melbourne’s west, Western Health’s interpreting team often field over 3,5000 requests for support each month.

At the helm of the service is Italian-born Lyn Bongiovanni who has worked at Footscray Hospital for 17 years.

Lyn says her empathy for those facing cultural or linguistic barriers was sparked as a small child when her family relocated from Sicily to Australia when she was eight.

A woman smiles welcomingly at the camera

‘Our main role is to facilitate connection. Give patients a voice when they need it most and when they are at their most vulnerable.’

‘I feel like we give patients dignity back to make informed decisions about their healthcare.’

Lyn Bongiovanni, Manager, Interpreting Services, Western Health

From the archives: Did you know?

Black and white historical image of woman in a factory

The site of the new hospital was once home a hostel for young women working in local factories.

From 1942 to the 1950s the site was home to Richardson House.

The women living there worked at the Maribyrnong munitions factory, the largest wartime producer of its kind in Australia at the time.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of the lands of the new Footscray Hospital and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Find out more

Learn more about the new Footscray Hospital project on our dedicated project page.

You can also contact us by calling the project hotline on (03) 9999 1985, or by emailing nfhenquiry@health.vic.gov.au.

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