One year since Bendigo Hospital contract signed

Building a bigger and better hospital in Bendigo · Delivering the highest quality healthcare to Bendigo and the region · Victorian Coalition Government building a healthier Victoria Minister for Health David Davis today celebrated one year since the contract was signed for the $630 million new Bendigo Hospital Project. Touring the construction site, including the area that will be home to the new radiotherapy bunkers and front entrance, Mr Davis said today marked the first anniversary of the contract signing between the Victorian Government and Exemplar Health. “The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on our $630 million commitment to build a bigger and better hospital in Bendigo,” Mr Davis said. “This new world-class hospital is one of the largest regional healthcare projects in Australia and will deliver the highest quality healthcare to the people of Bendigo and beyond for many years to come. I am proud to say the project is rapidly rising from the ground and is on budget and on track for completion in 2016.” Major achievements in the first year include: · Over 149,000 tonnes of soil excavated; · More than 15,000 square metres of concrete poured, 17 per cent of the total; · All four cranes on site – named Ben, Maximus, Cranium and Lucy; · Work started on radiation therapy bunkers for the integrated cancer centre; · Ground floor more than half complete and works started on new front entrance on Mercy St; and · To date, around 170 workers on site have worked over 100,000 hours combined. Liberal candidate for Bendigo East Greg Bickley said prototype rooms have been developed, enabling nurses and doctors to provide crucial feedback on their future work areas. “Environmentally friendly features at the hospital include solar panels on the roof, rain water capture, co-generation and use of natural light,” Mr Bickley said. The project is being delivered by Exemplar Health which is a consortium made up of Capella Capital, Siemens, Lendlease and Spotless. Mr Davis said the Victorian Coalition Government is building a healthier Victoria with more than $4.5 billion of capital investment at health services across the state, including the $630 million new Bendigo Hospital.