The completion of this flagship hospital marks the largest health infrastructure investment to be delivered in Melbourne’s south-east.
We wish to thank the local community, the hardworking hospital staff, and patients and visitors, for their support and patience during the past almost four years of construction. We hope the newly redeveloped hospital is something the whole Frankson and Mornington Peninsula community can be proud of.
The $1.1 billion redevelopment of Frankston Hospital, which will soon be named ‘Peninsula University Hospital’, opens its doors to patients in early 2026.
In this special final issue, you can learn about:
the key features of your new hospital tower
the newly installed artworks
connecting to Country
the design reflective of the natural landscape
local students rolling up their sleeves
young people growing careers on the project
Lendlease Project Director David O’Schaughnessy
and so much more.
Meet your new hospital tower
Here are some of the key features of your bigger, better Frankston Hospital.
The seven-level hospital tower will include a new main entrance, emergency department, women and children’s hub, operating theatre suite, helipad and an extra 100 inpatient and short stay beds. Construction is on track for completion in 2027.
In this edition, you can learn about:
site progress and what’s coming up
fun facts
artwork created by local students
locals working on the redevelopment.
Thank you, Ballarat
If you’ve looked up at the skyline recently, you might have noticed a big ‘Thank You’ displayed proudly on our fourth and final crane.
This sign recognises the patience and understanding of the hardworking hospital staff, patients and community members, as well as the over 880 workers who have worked on-site so far.
From all of us working on the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment, thank you for being a part of the journey.
'Thank You’ sign high up on one of the site’s tower cranes
Site progress
all four tower cranes are up
final basement slabs on ground have been poured
vertical concrete structure has commenced
Coming up
installation of materials hoists
continuing to build concrete structure of new hospital tower
formwork removal - removing the moulds used to hold concrete until it hardens
installation of the building’s plumbing systems including pipes, drains and fixtures in basement and lower levels of the hospital tower
installation of structural steel
A look into the future
Here are some artist impressions of key areas for the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment.
Enable skip links
Yes
Main entrance reception: New light-filled front-of-house welcome area.
Emergency department: Street view of the pedestrian entrance to the emergency and main entrance drop off.
Welcome to our summer Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment project newsletter!
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on the progress we’ve made. This year, the $655 million redevelopment continued to power ahead. Foundational works such as piling and excavation paved the way for structural works to start on the new hospital tower, marking a major construction milestone.
Soon the hospital will be formally handed over to Western Health and the first patients will be welcomed in February 2026.
Here are some of the ways Western Health has been getting ready for the move:
4,500 staff are being trained and are learning to use the new hospital’s advanced features and technologies.
Around 200 specialised staff are participating in clinical simulation exercises to test critical care processes in the new hospital.
Over 400 patient care spaces – from consulting rooms to intensive care areas – are being carefully stocked and prepared to create safe, welcoming and well-equipped environments for patients.
Behind the build
Major construction started in 2021. Over the last five years, the project has had:
8,600+ different people work on it
7.1 million hours worked
1,500 workers on-site a day
150,000+ tonnes of concrete installed
10 tower cranes on-site – the highest number of cranes on an individual site in Australia
10,000 doors installed
55,000 plants and 320 trees planted
1250km of data cable installed – which is the distance from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Did you know?
To build the new hospital, it was necessary to farewell some remnants of history on the site.
The hospital has taken inspiration from the colours, textures, materials and stories of the homes and the people who once lived here.
We’ve reused heritage materials from the houses including bricks, bluestone and even pressed metal ceilings. You’ll see the bricks and bluestone in the central green space and footpaths!
Heritage buildings inspired the new Footscray Hospital designSeating at the hospital inspired by heritage details
Architecture spotlight - Designing a hospital for and of the community
When architecture practices Billard Leece Partnership and COX took on the design of the new hospital, they knew it had to be more than just a place for healthcare.
Main entrance off Ballarat Road
'A hospital for the community was the starting point, but we now see the new hospital as part of its community. It’s designed not only as a place simply to go to when you’re unwell; it’s a place to go to when you’re well too.
The community will be able to come and enjoy the hospital as a public place in their everyday lives.'
Patrick Ness and Paul Curry, Cox
Central green space at the new Footscray Hospital
'We drew inspiration from Footscray’s cultural identity, its markets, homes, textiles and diverse communities.
We wanted everyone to feel a sense of welcome and calm when they arrive. The concept of a ‘central green space’ at the heart of the hospital anchored the vision.'
Mark Mitchell and Allison Jessup, Billard Leece Partnership
Designed sustainably
Sustainability was a key design principle, with the project targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating.
The hospital has been designed to enable future electrification.
Fun fact 1:
More than 1,500 solar panels have been installed, taking up 60% of the roof surface, with the ability to produce 840kW electricity at its peak (a normal household typically uses between 0.02kW and 2kW at any given moment).
Fun fact 2:
Water conservation includes an extensive rainwater collection system, allowing the site to reuse 90 per cent of rain that falls on the roof. This water will help with cooling the buildings, watering green spaces and for toilet flushing!
Fun fact 3:
500+ bicycle parking spaces for staff and 50+ for visitors, with great connectivity to public transport and bike paths.
Major construction on the more than $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital is almost finished! Soon the new hospital will be formally handed over to Western Health ahead of the first patients being welcomed on 18 February 2026, marking a once-in-a-generation milestone for Melbourne's west.
With its striking exterior standing proudly on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads, the new Footscray Hospital is one of Victoria’s largest ever health infrastructure projects and a symbol of the west’s growth, resilience and future.
Since construction first began in 2021, the site has been a city within a city – home to 10 tower cranes, 1,500 workers a day at the peak, and more than 7.1 million total hours of work to bring the vision to life.
The result is a world-class hospital that will deliver better care, more capacity and modern facilities for generations to come. The new hospital will replace the current Footscray Hospital and once fully operational it will provide more than 500 beds, expanded emergency and mental health services, and a purpose-built education and research precinct.
This is more than just a hospital building – it’s a legacy project that will transform healthcare in Melbourne’s west and create new opportunities for the community it serves.
Let’s take a look at your new Footscray Hospital.
Please remember, the new hospital won’t open until early 2026. The existing Footscray Hospital on Gordon Street will continue to operate until then. In an emergency, always call 000.
