Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment plans take shape as tenders open

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley released the design on Tuesday while announcing that architects and engineers could apply to work on the first part of the $384.2 million redevelopment.

"The redevelopment of Warrnambool Base Hospital will be the biggest health infrastructure project in regional Victoria's history," he said in a statement.

"We look forward to securing the architects and engineers for this exciting redevelopment so we can continue providing the best care for local families, close to home."

The project will create about 800 jobs during construction, which is due to start next year and be complete in 2026.

The government said one of the main reasons the upgrade is needed is that a growing elderly population will increase demand for hospital beds in the region by 30 per cent in the next 20 years.

It also states that more people choosing to make Warrnambool their home is one reason behind the need for a new paediatric unit to provide specialised care to children and young people.

Work is unable to begin at the base hospital until 2023 when a new Logistics Distribution Centre is built in west Warrnambool and frees up space at the base hospital.

The government's tenders are open for the logistics hub, where work is expected to begin in mid-2022.

The new five-storey base hospital tower will house a dialysis suite, six full-size operating theatres and 22 new inpatient beds among other features.

The latest design, which shows the building from Timor Street, is the second the state government has released in the past two weeks as planning work ramps up.

The government says further design work for the main hospital tower will continue later this year and planners will seek community input on the designs.

Tenders are online at Tenders Vic.

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