Hospital buildings to make way for green space

HISTORY has been made with the demolition of the former John Lindell Rehabilitation Unit at Bendigo Health, with the campus’ old east and north wing towers also being stripped out ready for wrecking in the coming months.

Once the Victorian Health Building Authority venture is complete, the area will have been transformed into 4000 square metres of green space with 2000 native and indigenous plants and trees added.

Watching on, Premier Jacinta Allan said the works were “the perfect finishing touch” to the hospital precinct,” which she said has “already completely transformed care for Bendigo locals.”

“With (the) new native and indigenous plants and trees, the green space will be a welcome addition to the centre of Bendigo – offering a new place for the community to enjoy,” Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards added.

Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne said the new green space will particularly benefit hospital patients, visitors and Bendigo Health’s dedicated workers by providing a “calming and therapeutic place to (appreciate).”

The demolition marks the final stage of the Clinical Services Campus project, which has seen the redevelopment of the former hospital site on Lucan Street into a rehabilitation complex.

The campus now accommodates a diverse range of critical services under the one roof, including a hydrotherapy pool and specialist clinics, providing outpatient rehabilitation, allied health, dental, mental health, renal dialysis, breast screening and diabetes education.

The services had been previously accommodated in the soon-to-be-demolished east and north wing buildings and were transferred in late 2023.