Plenary projects recognised for health infrastructure excellence

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Plenary projects have been awarded the industry’s highest honours at the 2022 National Infrastructure Awards, with the New Footscray Hospital Project recognised for Government Partnerships Excellence and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre for Operator and Service Provider Excellence.

The annual awards, conducted by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, celebrate outstanding achievements in the delivery of significant infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand.

The $1.5 billion New Footscray Hospital Project is the single largest health infrastructure investment in the State of Victoria and the first major infrastructure project in Victoria to achieve financial close following the commencement of the pandemic.

When complete in 2025, the new hospital will feature more than 500 beds, enabling care for almost an additional 15,000 patients and an extra 20,000 people to be seen by the emergency department each year.

Plenary is project sponsor, financial arranger, equity investor and asset manager for the project, part of the Plenary Health consortium contracted by the Victorian Government to design, build, finance, and maintain the hospital for 25 years.

The award judges recognised the success of Victorian Government and private sector parties in overcoming disruptions in the procurement process related to the pandemic, including a two-month suspension of the process to allow public and private sector resources to be redirected to Victoria’s pandemic response.

A new risk allocation model was introduced to address pandemic risks, while tender evaluation and negotiation phases were conducted securely and within the project’s probity framework despite the challenges of strict work-from-home orders for all parties involved.

The $1 billion Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is a purpose-built centre-of-excellence for cancer treatment, care, education and research located in the prestigious Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. Opened on time and on budget in 2016, it is home to clinical services, cancer research, and educational facilities for Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health and the University of Melbourne.

The judging panel recognised the VCCC for its strong performance over five years since opening. In response to the pandemic, the operator Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Plenary as asset manager worked collaboratively and made significant adjustments to ensure all normal cancer treatments remained available despite significant demands on the health system.