Residents in Melbourne’s outer north will soon have greater access to the health services they need, closer to home, with a preferred site identified for the new City of Whittlesea Community Hospital.

The Minister for Health today announced a block of land at 1410 Plenty Road, Mernda has been identified as the preferred site for the new multi-million-dollar facility.

The Andrews Labor Government’s $675 million investment is delivering 10 community hospitals in major growth areas across Victoria.

The new City of Whittlesea Community Hospital – operated by Northern Health – will provide a range of integrated community health and specialist services.

Strong links to specialist services, community health providers and social support services will improve follow-up treatment and support for those requiring complex care.

The new hospital will take pressure off nearby major hospitals including Northern Hospital in Epping – allowing it to focus on critical care and acute health issues, emergency care and more complex surgeries and procedures.

The preferred location is close to the Mernda Train Station and local road links into the future town centre of Mernda. It will be nearby to several community facilities including a new retail and dining precinct and future community hub.

Land for this important facility, which is currently commercially owned, is in the process of being acquired.

Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) construction is expected to start in 2022 and be completed in 2024.

The Labor Government is continuing to invest in health services in the state’s outer north with $328,300 in funding from the new $200 million Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund (MHIF) allocated to undertake master planning across DPV Health’s 18 sites in the City of Whittlesea.

The masterplan will provide the blueprint for future building needs to ensure health services can be delivered and easily accessed.