The Allan Government says construction is underway on a new $69.7 million public aged care facility at Maffra District Hospital, 220km east of Melbourne.
Operated by Central Gippsland Health, the 30-bed build lands at roughly $2.32 million per bed –Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt turned the first sod on the replacement for the outdated JHF McDonald Wing and Residential Aged Care Wing.
For context, the sector typically talks about around $500,000 per bed for a new build. In August, The Weekly SOURCE reported Victoria’s 36-bed, $39.6 million Camperdown Hospital facility at about $1.1 million per bed.
Any new capacity is welcome – the Government projects the sector needs 10,600 a year over the next decade – but the Victorian numbers keep climbing. Where is the premium going?
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, with Hames Sharley + Bamford Architects and builder SJ Higgins, the Maffra facility is slated for completion in 2028. It will feature private bedrooms with ensuites and a small-household model – each community with its own kitchen, dining and lounge.
It’s understood other states, including South Australia and NSW, are eyeing Victoria’s public-build approach to ease hospital gridlock caused by patients medically ready for discharge but unable to access aged care.
The policy aim is clear; the price tag, less so.
