Major milestone for $1 billion new cancer centre

Minister for Health David Davis today joined cancer survivors and people touched by cancer for a special site inspection of the $1 billion new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Project facilities. 

Inspecting construction progress today, Mr Davis paid tribute to the VCCC Project consumer advisory groups who are providing invaluable advice on the design of the cancer centre in Parkville. 

Joining Mr Davis was Kylie Lewis, a cancer survivor who is a member of the project’s Design Advisory Group and Chair of the Victorian and Tasmanian Youth Cancer Advisory Board, which works alongside ONTrac at Peter Mac – a service dedicated to the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer. 

“I am pleased that construction of this project is on time, on budget and on track to be operational in 2016,” Mr Davis said. 

“The construction of this project has hit a historic milestone with excavation now complete, all four cranes installed and the first concrete pours taking place for the basement levels. 

“An enormous 300,000 square metres of dirt have already come out of the ground. There are currently 140 workers on site and we are approaching 500,000 man-hours worked.” 

Mr Davis said the purpose-built facility for cancer research, treatment, care and education will provide a brand new home for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and new cancer research and clinical services for Melbourne Health. 

“It will also provide new cancer research facilities for The University of Melbourne and new education facilities for all of these building partners,” Mr Davis said. 

“The development itself is in two parts, comprising a new multi-storey building bordering Flemington Road, Grattan Street and Elizabeth Street, while across the road, we are constructing four new floors on top of The Royal Melbourne Hospital.” 

Mr Davis acknowledged the contribution of the Consumer Strategic Advisory Group and the Consumer Design User Group. 

“These advisory groups provide advice from a consumer perspective on aspects of design, patient amenities and way-finding, in relation to patient and family centred-care and public spaces within the facility,” Mr Davis said. 

“One person who has contributed to the design of the new facility is Kylie Lewis, who has given both a patient and a carer’s perspective on the design and functionality of a cancer care and treatment setting. 

“Not only did Kylie receive treatment at Peter Mac, she also supported her brother following his diagnosis. Sadly Kylie’s brother lost his battle, but I’m sure a part of his legacy will live on in the work she’s doing for other families by contributing to this project. 

“We are very lucky to have so many dedicated people who are able to tell us how we can better tailor the new facilities to meet the needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. 

“With their help, and unique insights, this project will provide Victoria with world-class purpose-built facilities that will help accelerate the translation of discoveries into new treatments, train cancer specialists in all disciplines to work across Victoria, and provide a centre of excellence for people affected by cancer.” 

The VCCC Project is jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, with contributions from member organisations, the sale of surplus land and philanthropic donations. 

The new facility is being delivered as a public-private partnership (PPP), led by the Plenary Health Consortium, under the Victorian Government’s Partnerships Victoria Policy. 

The lead parties within the Plenary Health Consortium are the Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, Grocon and PCL as the builder in a joint venture and Honeywell as the facilities/maintenance manager. 

Mr Davis said the project is expected to create 500 new full-time equivalent jobs, including 50 new trade apprenticeships, and retain 3,100 full-time equivalent jobs. 

“The average number of workers on site will be 700 over the four years of construction, 

peaking at about 1,100. Offsite resources involved in support industries, including design and manufacturing, is expected to average 2,500 people for the project duration,” Mr Davis said. 

Mr Davis said since coming to office, the Victorian Coalition Government has invested $886.3 million to expand and redevelop health services across Victoria. 

“Our capital investment program for Victoria’s health services is creating more than 1,800 full time jobs,” Mr Davis said. 

“In rural Victoria we provided an additional $102 million to build a bigger and better new Bendigo Hospital, as well as further additional funding for hospital redevelopments in Ballarat, Echuca, Geelong, Kerang, Kilmore, Swan Hill and Charlton. 

“In metropolitan Melbourne, we delivered an extra $40 million for the Box Hill Hospital redevelopment, $76 million to redevelop the Frankston Hospital and $15 million to expand intensive care and maternity services at Sunshine Hospital. 

“We have also made provision for the funding required to build the new Monash Children’s Hospital to service the rapidly growing population of Melbourne’s south-east and to redevelop the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital.”

Executive Director, Communications
+61 3 8888 7754
+61 418 530 806
chris.whitefield@plenary.com