Melbourne’s west is preparing for a major boost to its public health system, with the new Footscray Hospital due to open in February 2026. Touted as one of Victoria’s largest ever health infrastructure projects, the $1.5 billion development is expected to meet growing demand and improve access to care across the western suburbs.
Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the early 2026 launch, with construction now well underway on the 3.2-hectare site adjacent to Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus. When completed, the hospital will offer nearly 200 more beds than the existing Gordon Street facility, increasing capacity to support around 15,000 more inpatients and 20,000 additional emergency department presentations each year.
The current hospital, which dates back to the 1950s, will be decommissioned once the new site becomes operational. Western Health will continue to operate the hospital, with a focus on acute services, including mental health, maternity, cancer care, and allied health.
The contract to deliver the project was awarded to the Plenary Health consortium in March 2021 following a competitive tender. The group includes Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, with construction managed by Multiplex. Design is being led by Billard Leece Partnership and Bates Smart.
According to the Victorian Health Building Authority, the hospital is being constructed with over 90 per cent local content—covering materials, equipment, and services. At peak construction, more than 1,500 people will be employed on-site. The project is also providing 70 positions for apprentices, trainees, and cadets, as part of a broader 177-job boost during the build phase.
Once operational, the hospital will support more than 250 ongoing roles. It is also expected to encourage investment in nearby health-related businesses, including specialist clinics and diagnostic services.
The hospital’s location near public transport and educational institutions is designed to enhance community access and attract future health professionals. Officials say the site’s connectivity to rail and bus services was a key factor in planning, with the new campus set to anchor an emerging health and education precinct.
The original Footscray Hospital served generations of residents since it first opened, but with population growth in the west outpacing other regions, health planners flagged the need for expanded and modernised services years ago. The new facility aims to meet those needs for decades to come.
The hospital is part of a broader state-led push to boost Victoria’s healthcare capacity, following increased strain on emergency departments and waiting lists during and after the pandemic. The government has said that public-private partnerships like this one allow large-scale projects to be delivered faster, while maintaining public ownership and operation.
As construction enters its final stages in 2025, attention is turning to service transition plans and community engagement. Officials have said that existing hospital staff will be supported to move to the new site, and public information sessions will be held to help residents understand the move and available services.
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