Melbourne councils demand $45 million for hospital and rail land

Leaders from Melbourne's northern councils are calling on the state government to invest $45 million in acquiring land for a new hospital and railway station. This proactive measure aims to address the needs of a rapidly growing population in the region, which is expected to increase by 500,000 people in the coming years, reaching a total of 1.5 million residents.

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We're asking to put health services on the program now, as part of the development of the residential areas you can see in the background.

Population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights significant growth in Mitchell (4.2%), Hume (3%), and Whittlesea (2.9%) local government areas, far exceeding Greater Melbourne's overall growth rate of 2.0%. The Northern Hospital in Epping, serving the area, already reports its emergency department as the busiest in the state, treating over 300 people daily.

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It's a major area, it doesn't have enough services available to it from health.

Lawrie Cox, chair of the Northern Councils Alliance and mayor of the City of Whittlesea, emphasized the urgency of planning for health services. "We're asking to put health services on the program now, as part of the development of the residential areas you can see in the background," he stated. The alliance suggests spending $25 million to buy land in the Cloverton estate and an additional $20 million for a future railway station adjacent to the hospital site.

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We need the planning now.

The plan also includes extending the Upfield train line to Wallan and establishing new stations at Beveridge and Cloverton, aligning with Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy. Mitchell Shire mayor John Dougall stressed the importance of public transport for the growing population, noting that a new train station would improve access to the hospital and facilitate commuting to Melbourne.

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It's not saying we've got to deliver a hospital now.