Council welcomes Liberal Party hospital funding pledge

Published on 08 September 2022

Hepburn Shire Council welcomes the Victorian Liberal and National Party’s announcement today that they will fund $75 million to redevelop the Daylesford Hospital if elected in November election.

Community Groups, Hepburn Shire, along with passionate residents and health professionals are calling for all sides of politics to match the pledge.

Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie, said the redevelopment of the 160-year-old hospital, last upgraded 20 years ago, was a top priority for Council in the lead up to the election.

“Central Highlands Rural Health, which provides services across all of our shire needs funding so that it can continue to meet the quality and safety standards of a modern health facility,” Cr Drylie said. “We welcome the decision by the Victoria Liberal and National Parties and we call upon the Labor Government to match the funding.

“The Daylesford Hospital upgrade will provide lifelong health care and create jobs, investment and opportunity, and we appreciate the work of the Central Highlands Rural Health Board and Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Committee, chaired by Councillor Lesley Hewitt in their strong advocacy efforts on this project.

“A new 18-bed acute ward for both medical and surgical admission, increased space for dialysis, upgraded and expanded aged care, palliative care and respite as well as improved access for those with disabilities has been earmarked for the facility.

“Hepburn Shire residents currently travel to Ballarat and Kyneton to receive these services and the upgrade is vital to support our most vulnerable members of our community. “We’ll continue to work with all parties and candidates in the lead-up to the November election to ensure our residents has access to the services and infrastructure they need now and into the future.”