To ask the Minister for Health: In relation to the government’s 2010 election promise for a 32-bed hospital at the Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus —
(1) Has the minister sought, and received, advice from the Department of Health on the hospital; if so —
(a) when will construction begin; and
(b) what is the completion time line.
(2) Is the government still committed to its promise for this hospital.
ANSWER:
I am informed that:
(1) The minister seeks and receives advice on service and capital planning issues on a routine basis. This applies to planning in relation to a community hospital at Waurn Ponds.
(2) The Baillieu government is committed to the fulfilment of its election commitments.
The Baillieu government has recently delivered on other capital resource commitments in the region through the provision of $8.3m in the 2011-12 state budget towards planning, development and infrastructure works to upgrade the Geelong Hospital. In addition, provision of $93.3 million was made in the 2012-13 state budget to a major upgrade of the Geelong Hospital which will provide an additional 64 beds and a supportive cancer centre.