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Regional spotlight: Investing in Gippsland
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Regional facilities 23 April 2025

Regional spotlight: Investing in Gippsland

The population is growing in the Gippsland region, with more people calling the area home.

By 2030, the Gippsland population is forecast to rise to 328,861 people, increasing by 18% from 2021 to 2031.

That’s why the Victorian Government is investing in health infrastructure, upgrades and equipment in some of the busiest areas.

We’re busy building health, mental health and aged care facilities in the region.

Take a look and see how they will benefit Gippsland locals.

What we're currently building

A new dementia-friendly aged care facility in Orbost

Artist impression of an aged care building with a dark gray roof and white walls

Artist impression of the entrance

A new $45.36 million residential aged care facility is coming to Orbost.

We recently released designs for the facility. The modern aged care home will feature:

  • access to the surrounding natural environment
  • open area views
  • abundant natural light
  • garden areas.

‘As part of a $45.36 million investment, we are building a new two-storey 38-bed aged care facility at Orbost. The new facility is designed to foster an environment that supports dignity, person-centred care, and independence, enabling residents to 'age-in-place'. This is particularly crucial in regional areas such as Orbost, as it allows residents to remain near their support networks and sustain community connections as their care needs grow.’

Sophia Motamed, Principal Project Manager, Delivery, Victorian Health Building Authority

Residents will enjoy modern single rooms with private ensuites and a home-like feel. It will also be better suited to supporting the mental health and complex care needs of older Victorians.

Portrait image of William Phillips, wearing a light blue shirt and navy blue jacket

‘Dementia sufferers will no longer have to be relocated to other communities, and couples will have the opportunity to remain together throughout their aged care journey. Ageing in the community in which you have, in most cases, lived for a very long time, is vital to the psychological health of clients and the community.’

William Phillips, Community member, Orbost Regional Health Community Consultative Committee

Builder SJ Higgins will deliver the new facility with works underway to replace Orbost Regional Health’s ageing Lochiel House and Waratah Lodge facilities.

Headshot of James Kelly smiling. He has short grey hair, and is wearing a white shirt and olive green jacket

‘Part of the strategy with these facilities is to really open them up to the community and allow the community to interact with older Australians. We want to make the new Orbost residential aged care facility a community asset.’

James Kelly, Co-Managing Partner, Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects

Learn more about the Orbost Regional Health residential aged care redevelopment.

A new community hospital for Phillip Island

Artist impression of the Phillip Island Community Hospital exterior. The bottom half is brick, and the top half is white and grey panelling.

Artist impression of the Phillip Island Community Hospital

The Phillip Island Community Hospital will be a small public hospital providing a range of important everyday health services.

It will help future proof healthcare on the island thanks to a bigger and better Urgent Care Centre and the addition of day surgery, dialysis and chemotherapy services.

Once complete, the hospital will help take pressure off nearby major hospitals, including Wonthaggi Hospital. It will also enable more people to manage their health needs closer to home. The hospital will have links to specialists, community health providers and social support services.

Managed by Bass Coast Health, the Phillip Island Community Hospital will be an expansion of the current Phillip Island Health Hub. Construction is being overseen by SJ Higgins.

Building works on the first stage of the project - the new building - are nearing completion, with the finishing touches and testing of key spaces to be completed in the coming months.

The second stage of the project will transform the existing Urgent Care Centre, which will move into the new building we’re delivering as part of the first stage of the project, into dental treatment areas.

Learn more about the Phillip Island Community Hospital.

A new youth mental health centre in Traralgon

Artist impression of a building with a brick exterior and open grassy space surrounding it

Artist impression of the Traralgon YPARC centre

Works are progressing on a new Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) centre in Traralgon.

The new youth mental health centre will provide around-the-clock treatment, care and support to young people. It’s for people aged between 16 and 25 experiencing mental health challenges or psychological distress.

The centre will be a voluntary, referral-based service and provide a welcoming, safe and therapeutic environment that promotes rest and recovery.

Learn more about the youth prevention and recovery care centre expansion and upgrade program.

Recently completed projects

Latrobe Regional Hospital expansion complete

Exterior view of Latrobe Regional Hospital, with a brick facade and open green space

Exterior of the Latrobe Regional Hospital

The latest stage of the Latrobe Regional Hospital expansion in Traralgon was completed last year. The project increased capacity and services at the hospital, including an expanded emergency department and expanded maternity services.

The expansion is part of the state government's master plan for delivering improved health services throughout the Gippsland region.

Learn more about the Latrobe Regional Hospital Expansion – Stage 3A.

Upgraded Wonthaggi Hospital ensuring more locals can access care

Aerial view of Wonthaggi Hospital

Wonthaggi Hospital seen from above

The Wonthaggi Hospital expansion is complete and open and treating patients. The new emergency department will enable the hospital to treat 26,000 more emergency patients each year.

Bass Coast Shire is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regions. The bigger and better Wonthaggi Hospital will ensure more locals can access world-class healthcare closer to home and loved ones.

Learn more about the Wonthaggi Hospital expansion.

New ambulance branches in Foster, Morwell, Paynesville and Yarram

An ambulance driving down a rural road at dusk

Foster, Morwell, Paynesville and Yarram now have new, state-of-the-art ambulance branches.

Foster, Morwell, Paynesville and Yarram now have new, state-of-the-art ambulance branches which include large ambulance garages, training facilities, and rest and recline areas for our hardworking paramedics to recuperate, with the new locations enabling quicker response times to local emergencies.

Learn more about the Ambulance Victoria Development Program.

Upcoming projects

A new aged care facility for Maffra

A smiling elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed by a nurse

We're building a new aged care facility in Maffra

Planning is underway for a new aged care facility for the Maffra community, offering each resident in the new facility with a single bedroom and private ensuite. This will promote dignity, privacy and independence.

Learn more about the Maffra aged care facility.

Impact on communities

The vibrant and healthy places we’re creating will support the wellbeing of people in Gippsland.

The projects will improve infrastructure and help boost capacity, ensuring Victorians continue to receive high quality health care, closer to home.

Keep up to date

Illustration of community engagement for the Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment

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Last updated: 23 April 2025