Two hospitals in Melbourne’s north will be redeveloped under a $1 billion plan if the Andrews government is re-elected in November.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday morning announced Labor’s plan to upgrade the Austin Hospital at Heidelberg and the Northern Hospital at Epping.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced a re-elected government would spend $1 billion to upgrade two hospitals in Melbourne’s north. Credit:Meredith O’Shea
“This is a big boost for the north,” Andrews said.
The upgrade will provide an extra 20 emergency treatment spaces at the Austin Hospital, at a cost of between $250 and $300 million, according to the government.
The Northern Hospital will get an investment of between $770 million and $880 million for a new emergency department with an extra 70 treatment spaces.
It would also receive a new tower for inpatients with more than 100 beds.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has pledged to upgrade the hospital in Victoria’s east.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“These are the next steps that need to be taken,” Andrews said.
The upgrades to the hospitals are due to be completed by 2028, he said.
The premier said all the government’s election promises would be tallied and presented in a consolidated form.
It’s the latest in a string of promises from both the state government and opposition in the lead-up to November’s election, where health policies are emerging as a key battleground.
Last week, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy committed $400 million to upgrade the Maroondah Hospital – in Melbourne’s east – should the Coalition win government.
Then, on Sunday the premier said his government, if re-elected, would upgrade the hospital and rename it after Queen Elizabeth II.
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