The local Ballarat community is being encouraged to have a say on the Victorian Government’s $541.6 million redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital.

Community consultation for the project is now open, seeking ideas and priorities to inform the design of indoor and outdoor areas of the redevelopment – from waiting rooms to gardens.

Community engagement has been a key aspect of the redevelopment, including the establishment of Community Consultative Committee comprising 16 local community members and representatives from Ballarat Health Services, local council and key community groups last year.

Chaired by former Premier Steve Bracks alongside Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle, committee members have contributed their personal experiences and local perspective around priority areas of the redevelopment.

More than 50 meetings and workshops with clinical and support staff have been held as a part of the design development process so far.

The redevelopment will be delivered over multiple stages, and once completed will deliver a new emergency department, a women and children’s hub, state-of-the-art theatre suite and an extra 100 inpatient and short stay beds – with the capacity to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an extra 14,500 inpatients per year.

Feedback from the community will help the project’s architects shape the final design of the redevelopment, construction is expected to get underway next year with the project scheduled for completion in 2027.

The design consultation period is open until Monday 18 October, have your say at: engage.vic.gov.au/ballarat-base-hospital-redevelopment.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison

“The Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment is the most significant investment in public health in our community ever! We’re ensuring local voices are at the heart of this transformative project.” 

“Our highly respected nurses and doctors do an outstanding job, and with this investment they’ll get the facilities they need to continue providing world class healthcare on our doorstep.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle

“Ballarat Base is your hospital, make sure you have your say on its redevelopment. This massive project will see over $541 million being invested to deliver a modern hospital for our community.”

“We want to hear from you about the things that are important to you, like hospital access, gardens, private spaces or comfortable waiting rooms.”