Delivered for the Victorian Health Building Authority as part of the Victorian Government’s Better Aged Care Services for Regional Victorians initiative, the project provides contemporary accommodation and healthcare infrastructure integrated with the existing Cohuna District Hospital.
Undertaken under a construct-only contract, the project involved the delivery of a new 24-bed facility comprising 16 residential aged care beds and 8 acute care beds, together with extensive refurbishment of the existing aged care building into staff accommodation, offices and collaborative workspaces. The development also included a range of clinical, support and community-focused facilities, extensive landscaping and associated external infrastructure works.
A defining feature of the project was its delivery within a live healthcare environment. Careful staging, demolition, construction and refurbishment works were undertaken to ensure the continued operation of the existing hospital and aged care services throughout the project. Maintaining site-wide security, essential services and uninterrupted access required close collaboration with hospital stakeholders, consultants and service authorities. Value was realised through the seamless transition of aged care services into the new facility prior to refurbishment works commencing, ensuring continuity of care for residents and staff.
The completed facility provides a range of accommodation options, including accessible, bariatric, acute and palliative care rooms, supported by welcoming communal, clinical and staff spaces. By integrating modern aged care infrastructure with existing health services, the project has enhanced the quality, accessibility and functionality of healthcare facilities available to the Cohuna community, supporting the region’s growing and evolving care needs for years to come.