The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) is set to merge with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) to become the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA), bringing together a range of expert skillsets to deliver the state’s most crucial projects.
VIDA will be responsible for delivering the state’s transport infrastructure program as well as a crucial health infrastructure program.
This work will include more than 200 projects such as the Metro Tunnel, North East Link, removing level crossings, new and upgraded hospitals in Footscray, Frankston and Warrnambool, and specialist programs such as the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program.
The new structure allows the Department of Health to focus on delivering critical health services – like surgery and emergency care – while combining the skills and experience of both VHBA and the MTIA as project delivery specialists.
This change is intended to create a bigger pool of skilled people that can work together across a diverse range of big projects, ensuring that operations are streamlined and efficient – delivering even better results for Victorians.
VIDA will be comprised of four project offices, Major Road Projects Victoria, Level Crossing Removal Project, the Metro Tunnel and the Victorian Health Building Authority, overseen by Director-General Kevin Devlin.
Under the changes, Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) will become the Metro Tunnel Project as they focus on testing and commissioning ahead of its opening in 2025, while the Regional Rail Revival and Melbourne Airport Rail will transfer to the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) to focus on project development and delivery.
Once the Metro Tunnel Project is complete, all rail projects will be brought into a single project office focused on delivering Victoria’s rail infrastructure.
The State Government said that the creation of VIDA recognises the importance of delivering critical projects across the health and transport portfolios. The new entity will allow for expertise and experience to be shared across all of these major projects, continuing the pipeline of projects that make a difference to Victorian communities.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson, will remain responsible for the delivery of transport infrastructure and Minister for Health Infrastructure, Mary-Anne Thomas, will remain responsible for the delivery of health infrastructure.
VIDA Director-General, Kevin Devlin, said that this is a great opportunity to use a vast combination of expertise and skills to deliver both major transport and health infrastructure projects together for the Victorian community.
“As we continue to deliver an unprecedented infrastructure program and crucial health services, we’re evolving the way we work to best deliver projects that produce the best value and outcomes for Victorians,” Mr Devlin said.
Victorian Health Building Authority CEO, Megan Bourke-O’Neil, said that this is an incredibly exciting opportunity for VHBA to join the transport infrastructure program and share its collective expertise under one united infrastructure delivery agency.
“With a $15 billion health infrastructure project pipeline underway, we remain focused on delivering world class healthcare, closer to home for all Victorians.”