Minister for Health and Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas has announced that Built, one of Australia’s largest private construction groups, has been appointed to deliver the main works stage of the redevelopment which includes a new multi-level tower and helipad.

The multi-level tower will feature a new ground-floor emergency department, a state-of-the-art theatre suite and an extra 100 inpatient and short-stay beds.

Stage 3 of the redevelopment will also reconfigure the Ballarat Base Hospital with a new main entrance on Sturt Street, improving access for patients, families and emergency vehicles while delivering urgently-needed short-term parking and safe drop-off zones.

Grampians Health CEO Dale Fraser said this was a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the hospital with construction of the main tower works set to commence this year.

“It’s exciting to see the transformation of our hospital into a future ready health care facility that aligns with the growing needs of our community,” Mr Fraser said.

“I’m sure many in our community have been watching the first building of the redevelopment rising up from the ground in Drummond Street over the past few months. I know many of our staff have enjoyed watching Maureen the Crane, named after one of Grampians Health’s valuable volunteers, instrumental in the construction of the structure of the Drummond Street building.”

Mr Fraser said works to expand the hospital’s multi-deck car park, resulting in an additional 400 car parks when completed later this year, were taking shape.

He acknowledged the tremendous support from staff, the community and the City of Ballarat over the past few months in regards to the temporary parking solutions at the City Oval while works to expand the multi-deck car park were underway.

Mr Fraser thanked the nearby businesses who have provided direct support for our on-call medical staff with parking.

Construction of the main tower works is expected to be completed in 2027. Once completed, the Ballarat Base Hospital will have the capacity to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an extra 14,500 inpatients.

Built is one of Australia’s largest privately-owned construction companies with extensive experience delivering healthcare facilities across the country, including regional areas, such as Stage 3A of the $223.5 million Latrobe Regional Hospital Expansion.