Planning permit approved for St John of God redevelopment

 

The City of Greater Bendigo has issued a planning permit for the $40.7M redevelopment of St John of God Hospital.

City Director of Planning and Development Prue Mansfield said the redevelopment was needed to meet current and future demand for health services triggered by Bendigo’s strong population growth. 

“With our net population growing by 1,100 persons a year and forecasters saying there will be 145,000 people living here by 2031, the time is right to ensure that we have the facilities in place to cater for this growth,” Ms Mansfield said

“It is projects such as this that demonstrate how the City is working together with other organisations so Greater Bendigo can become Australia’s most liveable regional city.”

Hospital Director Darren Rogers welcomed the approval of the planning permit, as it will enable works to commence in early 2015 and be completed by the end of 2016.

“The redevelopment will enable St John of God Hospital to provide additional services for the community, which will complement the new Bendigo Hospital and reduce the need for patients to travel to Melbourne for specialist care,” Mr Rogers said.

The building will comprise:

  • Lower ground floor (Lily Street) – car parking, ambulance bay and new lift and stair access to the hospital
  • Ground floor – updated front entrance and space for future ward development
  • First floor – 28 new beds, ancillary space and full theatre refurbishment, including two additional theatres
  • Second floor – 24 new beds for rehabilitation ward plus rehabilitation gym and therapy spaces
  • Refurbishment of all existing patient areas

A four-storey building of high quality architectural design will project outwards and be partially constructed over Lily Street at the upper floor levels.

There will also be a three level glazed walkway between the existing building and the new building and the existing car park will be formalised, with new pedestrian links and landscaping resulting in better parking arrangements and more than 50 extra parking bays.

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo