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Site chosen for Torquay’s new hospital

June 16, 2021 BY

The site was chosen from as many as nine assessed across Torquay.

THE Victorian Government has revealed the site for the coming Torquay Community Hospital.

Today (Wednesday, June 16), South Barwon Labor MP Darren Cheeseman announced a block of land at 110 South Beach Road had been identified as the preferred site for the new multi-million-dollar facility.

Operated by Barwon Health, the Torquay Community Hospital will provide a range of integrated community health and specialist services.

Strong links to specialists, community health providers and social support services will improve follow-up treatment and support for those requiring complex care.

The new hospital will take pressure off nearby hospitals including University Hospital Geelong, allowing it to focus on critical care and acute health issues, emergencies and more complex surgeries and procedures.

The preferred location – at the intersection of South Beach Road and the Surf Coast Highway – will provide easy access to the highway and community services including the Surf Coast Shire council offices, schools and childcare facilities.

The land for the hospital is commercially owned and, according to an officers’ report about the hospital for Surf Coast Shire councillors for their June 24 meeting, is in the process of being compulsorily acquired.

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), construction of the new facility is expected to start in 2022 and be completed in 2024.

“The preferred location will ensure the new Torquay Community Hospital provides easy access for patients, visitors and staff, and is close to community facilities,” Mr Cheeseman said.

“Torquay locals have been calling for better access to healthcare and we’re getting on with delivering this new hospital so they can receive world-class care, closer to home.”

The officers’ report states as many as nine locations were considered in Torquay for the hospital.

“The VHBA advises the chosen site has been assessed against other site options using rigorous site evaluation criteria, and has been determined as being the option that best meets the requirements of the site search brief.

 

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