East Gippsland Shire Council is calling on all political parties to commit $120 million towards a new emergency department at Bairnsdale Hospital, saying the project is essential to meet the growing healthcare needs of the regional community.

The funding commitment forms part of Council's advocacy campaign ahead of the 2026 Victorian Election and would allow Bairnsdale Regional Health Service to design and construct a new emergency department as the first stage of a broader hospital redevelopment.

Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the region's existing emergency department is no longer able to meet demand.

"The people of East Gippsland deserve emergency health care that is safe and delivered within a reasonable time in facilities that are fit for purpose," Cr Ashworth said.

"Our doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital staff do an extraordinary job every day, but they are working in an emergency department that is simply too small for the community it serves."

The hospital's emergency department treats approximately 22,000 people annually and is inadequately sized to meet the growing community’s emergency health care needs. Current planning by Bairnsdale Regional Health Service has identified the need to expand current capacity to meet an expected future demand of 30,000 people.

The upgrade would improve patient flow, reduce ambulance ramping and waiting times, and help ensure patients receive treatment more quickly during medical emergencies.

More than 85 per cent of emergency presentations come from residents, while holiday periods place additional pressure on the hospital as thousands of visitors arrive in the region.

With only three ambulance bays, ambulance ramping averages four vehicles a day delaying patient transfers and increasing pressure on both ambulance crews and hospital staff.

Cr Ashworth said East Gippsland's ageing population, together with plans for around 11,000 new homes by 2051, mean demand on health services will continue to increase.

"This isn't a project for the distant future – it's a project our community needs now," she said. "Without investment, overcrowding, delays and pressure on frontline staff will only get worse."

Council is seeking funding to complete a detailed design, prepare a contemporary masterplan and deliver a construction-ready business case, alongside construction of the new emergency department.

Much of the preliminary planning has already been completed, allowing the project to move into detailed design and progress towards staged redevelopment from 2027.

Cr Ashworth said investing now will improve health care outcomes for local families while supporting the long-term future of regional health services.

"We're asking every party contesting the election to stand with East Gippsland and commit to delivering this vital project – for today's needs and tomorrow's growth."

Council's advocacy package in the lead-up to the Victorian Government election includes priority investments in roads, health, housing, flood and drainage infrastructure, sporting facilities, emergency services, forestry transition and public land management, along with reform of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

In addition to these priorities, Council will continue advocating on the range of projects and programs that matter to East Gippsland communities, as outlined in the East Gippsland Shire Council Plan 2025-2029 on Council's website.

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