THE Northern Councils Alliance (NCA), which includes the City of Whittlesea and the Mitchell Shire Council, have accelerated its advocacy efforts to build a new outer hospital in the Cloverton precinct.
A report featured on ABC News last week highlighted the realities faced by the northern suburbs and towns just outside the juncture with healthcare, with the NCA calling for a new outer hospital to ease pressure on the healthcare services.
A key to the NCA’s advocacy highlighted there were two public hospitals in Melbourne’s north – the Northern Hospital in Epping and the Austin/Mercy in Heidelberg.
The NCA, in its April 2025 newsletter, said the anticipated population boom and the Northern being the busiest emergency department in the state factored in its advocacy.
“The Northern Hospital has Victoria’s busiest emergency department, with ever-growing patient load. As our population continues to rise, pressure on these facilities will only intensify. Critically, the region lacks dedicated trauma support, making expanded hospital services not just important but essential,” they wrote.
“Melbourne’s northerngrowth corridor is expected to accommodate 30 per cent of the city’s future population growth, with an additional 500,000 residents by 2036. In Mitchell Shire alone, the population is projected to double every five years for the next two decades. The Cloverton precinct will expand to accommodate a population the size of Canberra. Our health services cannot keep up with current, let alone future demand.
“Compounding the issue is the limited transport infrastructure linking our residents to health services, as many residents rely heavily on public transport. Our bus services do not have adequate connections, for example there is no direct access to the Northern Hospital. And the Upfield rail line, which currently terminates at Upfield Station, does not extend into Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs.
“Without key investments in rail electrification and extension, many people will remain disconnected from essential healthcare.
Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Councillor John Dougall told ABC News about his ambition to get the train station to Beveridge done, continuing to outline it as a key priority ahead of the state election.
The NCA said the time was now.
“Land needed for the hospital has been reserved, but the project cannot progress without a public commitment from the Victorian Government. Additionally, land must be secured for two new train stations along the Upfield Line extension to ensure the hospital is easily accessible,” they said.
“The message from our community is clear: they need action.
“The NCA is committed to ensuring this project remains a top priority and we will continue to advocate for urgent government support.”