An estimated $100 million upgrade of the Warrnambool Base Hospital is believed to be a step closer to being funded by the State Government after more than six years of local lobbying.
The Victorian Government has announced it will fund the purchase of land, planning and design for a new "logistics distribution centre" for the hospital, which will be built offsite in the Warrnambool industrial estate.
The move is widely seen as a precursor to the multi-million-dollar hospital redevelopment, as it relocates key departments to make way for construction.
The so-called Stage 2 redevelopment was the subject of a $100 million election promise by then-premier Denis Napthine in 2014, but the project is yet to receive the financial backing of Daniel Andrews' Labor Government.
Push for new emergency facilities
But South West Healthcare chief executive Craig Fraser said the approval of the Regional Logistics Distribution Centre moved the hospital "one step closer" to its much-needed upgrade.
"Relocating key regional services offsite will allow for the creation of a development zone on the Warrnambool Base Hospital site for the future construction of a clinical tower that includes a new emergency department and theatre complex," Mr Fraser said.
"This is a key piece of the work required in the broader proposed Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment with the business case being refreshed and completed in recent weeks."
The master plan for the distribution centre has been completed and final designs are due by the end of the year.
The centre will house linen and supply services, which also work with other regional health services, including Portland District Health, Western District Health Service, Colac Area Health, Great Ocean Road Health and the Casterton Memorial Hospital.
Mr Fraser said the State Government "already committed" to funding stage two of the hospital redevelopment, but he was not holding his breath for the money to be in the upcoming state budget.
"We can only hope," he said.
"We don't expect to see money in there, however we are … really hopeful that this will progress."
