ONE GIPPSLAND CHAMPIONS HEALTH UPGRADES FOR THE REGION

One Gippsland has identified a number of key health priorities aimed ensuring that Gippsland continued to be a highly inclusive and liveable region.

One Gippsland Chair and Mayor of Latrobe City Council Cr Kellie O’Callaghan said investment into the region’s health infrastructure was vital to meet the needs of Gippsland’s rapidly growing communities.

 The priorities identified by One Gippsland included four key shovel ready projects:

 ·         West Gippsland Hospital: investment for a complete rebuild on a new greenfield site;

·         Wonthaggi Hospital Extension: investment for stages 2 and 3 of the current development;

·         Ageing in Place: investment to upgrade to Maffra, Heyfield and Yarram Hospitals to support senior residents;

·         Bushfire recovery and community resilience: extension of existing bushfire recovery, wellbeing and mental health support until at least year five.

 Additionally the Board also endorsed the formation of a One Gippsland Working Group that will begin the task planning for a range of initiatives across the region. The focus will be on initiatives that will:

 ·         Increase the availability of a skilled and job ready workforce in partnership with education providers in the region;

·         Increase investment into mental health and family violence services and infrastructure across the region; and

·         Support community members to continue to age in place (rather than in residential aged care).

 To date the following election commitments have been made towards health infrastructure in Gippsland:

 Victorian Labor Party:

·         Up to $675 million to build a new West Gippsland hospital;

·         Up to $290 million for stage two of the Wonthaggi Hospital upgrade;

·         $70 million to redevelop the 30 bed aged care facility in Maffra.

 Victorian Coalition:

·         $400 million toward building a new West Gippsland Hospital;

·         $300 million for stage two and three of the Wonthaggi Hospital upgrade.

 “The announced commitments from both political parties for both the West Gippsland and Wonthaggi hospitals are welcome and will continue our objective of making sure Gippsland continues to be one of the most liveable regions in Australia,” Cr O’Callaghan said.

 “I would also like to congratulate the organisations who have long made the case for health investment on behalf of our shared communities – together we continue to ensure that Gippsland is the best place to live and prosper,” Cr O’Callaghan concluded.