THE road to a new half-billion-dollar public hospital opened up for Mildura on Thursday when the Andrews Government allocated $2 million in the State Budget for a feasibility study into a future redevelopment of the health care facility.
The government said the master plan would “undertake service and capital planning to finalise the business case” for a new hospital, which is estimated to cost about $500 million.
In Parliament, Health Minister Martin Foley singled out the new management of Mildura Base Public Hospital (MBPH) – which came back into public hands on September 15 last year – for special praise.
“It was a great day last year when that hospital returned to public hands and I want to thank, particularly the CEO Terry Welch and the chair Mary Rydberg for the great leadership they have shown in returning the hospital back to the community,” Mr Foley said.
“I have worked closely with the local community and (hospital’s staff and management team) … and (the) service plan is coming along very nicely.”
Mr Foley’s comments come after Mr Welch late last year called for a new hospital in Mildura because “we’ve outgrown this site and facility”.
“We’ve got four-bed wards. Four-bed wards went out 10 years ago,” he said at the time.
On Thursday Mr Welch said the master plan funding was a “vote of confidence” in the management team and staff’s performance over the past eight months.
“The master plan will establish the capital pathway forward for MBPH to ensure we have a state-of-the-art facility for our 1000-plus staff, who every day continually inspire me in the commitment and level of care they provide to the community we serve,” Mr Welch said.
“We are in a very unique space given we are a tri-state service, servicing not only the northern Mallee of Victoria, but also parts of South Australia and New South Wales.
“It is a big and vast area we cover and to now have the funding from the Victorian Government to undertake the master plan for a new hospital is just a huge tick for us as an organisation.”
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper, who played a key role in the return of the hospital to public hands, is expected to give her reaction to the master plan boost after a briefing from Treasurer Tim Pallas this afternoon.
Elsewhere, regional tourism received a $465 million boost in the budget as part of the Victorian Tourism Recovery Package.
It includes:
– $149 million for regional tourism infrastructure, campsites and visitor amenities projects, and establishment of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to co-ordinate management and make improvements to visitor facilities to support jobs and local communities.
– A $150 million Regional Tourism Investment Fund to develop new attractions and support local tourism partnerships.
– A new Victorian Regional Travel Voucher Scheme with $28 million for vouchers to encourage Victorian residents to travel within the state, supporting local businesses and jobs.
– $20 million to attract a strong pipeline of regional events to draw visitors from Melbourne and interstate.
– Murray River Adventure Trail with development of a long-distance cycling, walking and aquatic trail.
– Mallee Silo Art projects including Rainbow Silo Art and the Mallee Silo Art initiatives.
Other funding announcements for the Mildura electorate in the budget include:
– Almost $44 million to ensure Victoria’s waterways will be protected, preserved and enjoyed by families across the state – including at Kings Billabong – for generations to come.
– A $16 million investment in new Child and Youth HOPE services, which will provide individualised, intensive and one-on-one support for younger Victorians who have self-harmed or are at risk of suicide. Mildura Base Hospital is one of nine sites to be supported in this funding boost.
– $6.4 million for the Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy, which will be released next month.
