BBHR’s new hospital tower takes shape as facade transforms Ballarat skyline
The $655 million Ballarat Base Hospital Redevelopment has reached another major milestone with more than 1,000 colourful facade panels installed across the new seven-level hospital tower.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll visited the site today (Friday 14 August) to see the facade, which is made up of colours inspired by the local landscape including Burrumbeet Plains, Buninyong, Ballarat city, Lake Wendouree and Creswick Forest.
Made of glass, aluminium and reinforced concrete, the panels cover a grand total of 8,400 square metres.
Grampians Health CEO Dale Fraser said the facade was one of the most visible elements of the new hospital tower, and an exciting sign of progress for staff, patients and the broader community.
"The design has been carefully considered to allow sunlight to flood patient rooms and clinical spaces, helping create a welcoming environment that supports patient wellbeing and recovery,” Mr Fraser said.
"The facade is another clear sign of the remarkable progress being made as we work towards delivering Ballarat’s biggest infrastructure project and importantly delivering care close to home.
“The focus will now shift to the fit-out of the interior of the new tower including the installation of wall partitions, plastering and flooring.”
Chief Redevelopment and Infrastructure Officer Veronica Furnier said as work on the facade concluded, the project was also preparing to farewell two familiar features of the Ballarat skyline, with the ‘Wasek’ and ‘Josie’ tower cranes set to be dismantled in the coming weeks.
Ms Furnier said the cranes had played an important role in helping deliver the redevelopment while also highlighting some of our incredible staff.
“Wasek the Crane, named in honour of Grampians Health Oncologist and Research Lead Associate Professor Wasek Faisal, has been a prominent feature of the construction site over the past 12 months. Associate Professor Faisal was recognised through the crane naming initiative for his outstanding contribution to cancer care, research and innovation across the region,” Ms Furnier said.
"Josie the Crane was named after former nurse, educator and volunteer Josie Ashmore, whose ongoing acts of kindness continue to positively impact the experiences of patients and families across Grampians Health.
"These cranes have supported the installation of major structural elements, including the building's façade and have become symbols of progress during construction.”
Once complete, the new tower will feature a new emergency department, expanded theatre suite, a rooftop helipad, and an additional 100 inpatient and short-stay beds.
The redeveloped Ballarat Base Hospital will have capacity to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an additional 14,500 inpatients each year when the clinical spaces become operational.
Construction remains on track for completion in 2027.
