Construction on a new city of Whittlesea Community Hospital will soon likely begin at 1410 Plenty Road, Mernda.

Health Minister Martin Foley said on Friday the block of land had been identified as the preferred site for the new multi-million-dollar facility. 

The land is currently commercially owned but is in the process of being acquired.  

The preferred location is close to the Mernda Train Station and local road links into the future town centre of Mernda. It will be near several community facilities including a new retail and dining precinct and future community hub.  

The new hospital is part of State Government’s $675 million investment in delivering 10 community hospitals in major growth areas across Victoria.

The new City of Whittlesea Community Hospital – operated by Northern Health – will provide a range of integrated community health and specialist services.

Links to specialist services, community health providers and social support services will aim to improve follow-up treatment and support for those requiring complex care.  

The new hospital also aims to relieve pressure from nearby major hospitals including Northern Hospital in Epping, allowing it to focus on critical care and acute health issues, emergency care and more complex surgeries and procedures.    

Mr Foley thanked Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green for her advocacy for the project, and said the hospital would give outer north Melbourne residents the greater access to care closer to home.

“We’re getting on with delivering the largest pipeline of health projects in Victoria’s history, so Victorians can access the care and services they need, when they need them,” Mr Foley said.

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, construction is expected to start in 2022 and be completed in 2024. 

The investment comes alongside $328,300 in funding from the new $200 million Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund allocated to undertake master planning across DPV Health’s 18 sites in the City of Whittlesea.

The masterplan will provide the blueprint for future building needs to ensure health services can be delivered and easily accessed.