The State Government’s delivery of new worker accommodation for East Gippsland’s biggest employer is one step closer, with a local business appointed to lead the construction of more than 20 modern units.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes announced last Thursday that Gippsland-based company BFN Developments will lead the construction of Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s (BRHS) new worker accommodation, which will be delivered through the Labor Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
“I’m pleased to announce that BFN Developments will be delivering this important worker accommodation project, which will boost health, wellbeing and liveability for Bairnsdale, East Gippsland and parts of the High Country,” Ms Symes said.
Comprising 26 new bedrooms conveniently located across the road from the Day Street Hospital Campus, the new accommodation will provide modern, comfortable housing to attract and retain skilled healthcare workers.
These workers will join a team that provides crucial care services for East Gippsland community, including women’s health, paediatric services, elective surgeries, palliative care and other key services.
“From BRHS perspective, it’s wonderful to see this project progress with
work on the ground commenced to deliver dedicated, high-quality accommodation that will greatly enhance staff well-being and ultimately improve healthcare service delivery in the East Gippsland Region,” a BRHS spokesperson said.
BFN Developments has been operating across Gippsland and regional Victoria since 1991 and has delivered more than 245 construction projects across sectors from aged and community care, to healthcare, education
and more.
The builder’s delivery of the Bairnsdale project is another example of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund utilising local skills and experience in the regions to meet accommodation and key worker shortages.
“Gippsland communities need access to the right workers in the right places to support strong local economies –that’s what our Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is focused on delivering,” Member for Eastern Victoria Tom
McIntosh said.
The new accommodation will enable staff to enjoy safe, direct and convenient access to hospital grounds, while helping ease pressure on the region’s tight rental market. This means even more people can find a place to live and stay in Bairnsdale, helping to further drive economic growth in East Gippsland’s largest town.
The project is part of the Labor Government’s more than $47 billion investment in rural and regional communities in just over a decade. This record support is making regional Victorian cities and towns even better places to live, work, invest and visit. For more information, visit rdv.vic.gov.au.
