Report finds a new Melton Hospital would be significant to economy

A landmark new report launched today has found that a future Melton Hospital will create more than 4000 jobs, and play a significant role in addressing COVID-19-related job losses and an existing jobs shortage in the City of Melton.

Former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has unveiled an independent economic impact analysis by WoMEDA (West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance), backing the timely delivery of the Melton Hospital.

The report, Investing in a New Hospital for Melton, undertaken by leading economist, Professor Rodney Maddock, finds that the hospital would add $300 million to the region’s economy annually and create 3825 ongoing jobs and 375 construction jobs.

The findings come as the need for jobs creation and economic stimulus becomes increasingly critical in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Employment figures outlined in the report show significant Job Keeper numbers representing 10 per cent of the Melton workforce, and adding to already high numbers of unemployed and disengaged workers locally, particularly young people.

According to the report, Melton’s need for a 250 bed hospital is set to double in the next 15 years.

WoMEDA has recommended that the State Government include the land acquisition in its upcoming budget, commence construction by 2022 and have the facility fully operational by 2026. It also supports the proposed siting within the Cobblebank Metropolitan Activity Centre as a location that would generate spill-over economic benefit.

WoMEDA Chair, Steve Bracks:

“A new hospital in Melton will make an enormous difference in a post-pandemic economy, creating 3825 long term, diverse jobs and adding $300 million to the region’s economy every year,” Mr Bracks said.

“In addition, positioning the hospital within Melton’s Cobblebank Metropolitan Activity Centre will attract substantial investment in a range of industries and unlock the potential for 22,000 jobs.

“Developing this facility as a priority will help transform the City of Melton into a thriving precinct of state-wide importance.

“This is not just a Melton priority, it’s a Victorian priority that can lead economic recovery and alleviate pressure on existing hospitals.

“Melbourne’s outer west critically needs more jobs and Melton critically needs better access to health care, and a hospital addresses both of those issues.”

City of Melton Mayor, Cr Lara Carli:

“To have WoMEDA validate the urgency to develop a Melton hospital and the need for more jobs is especially welcome right now,” Cr Carli said.

“The hospital will trigger major investment and jobs growth in justice, health, education, retail, recreation, and more. This is critically important in Melton where 80 per cent of our professional workforce leaves the municipality for work.

“It’s also exciting to see the Victorian Government’s business case progressing and we hope the urgency to acquire land for the hospital can be recognised in the upcoming state budget.”

LeadWest Executive Office, Sue La Greca:

“Our region needed the Melton Hospital before the COVID-19 pandemic and it will certainly be needed after,” Ms La Greca said.

“The health and economic benefit will have a major impact on the future of Melbourne’s west. What we all work towards now is to accelerate planning and construction of the new Melton Hospital as part of the economic stimulus.

“The WOMEDA report, along with the North and West Melbourne City Deal and the LeadWest Strategic Plan, provides a bright outlook on what is possible for our region.”

State Member for Melton Steve McGhie:

“Delivering a new hospital in Melton is one of the main issues for the Melton electorate. Along with the obvious health benefits a new hospital would deliver, it would also create hundreds of jobs whilst being constructed and thousands of jobs once operational,” Mr McGhie said.

“My office has a very good relationship with the Council to advocate for this important piece of infrastructure and I have been working hard with my Parliamentary colleagues to help deliver for Melton and the west.

“I welcome the release of the economic impact analysis.”

To read the WoMEDA report, Investing in a New Hospital for Melton, visit womeda.com.au

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