New body to guide VIC project pipeline

The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and Victorian Health Building Authority will soon combine to form the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA), which will be responsible for delivering the state’s transport infrastructure program as well as crucial health infrastructure.

VIDA’s works will include more than 200 projects, such as the Metro Tunnel, North East Link, Level Crossing Removal Project(s), as well as new and upgraded hospitals in Footscray, Frankston and Warrnambool.

The new structure allows the Department of Health to focus on delivering critical health services while combining the skills and experience of both VHBA (Victorian Health Building Authority) and the MTIA (Major Transport Infrastructure Authority) as project delivery specialists.

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. General Kevin Devlin will oversee the authority.

As part of the changes, Rail projects Victoria will become the Metro Tunnel Project and will focus on testing and commissioning ahead of the projects opening in 2025. The Regional Rail Revival and Melbourne Airport Rail will transfer to the Level Crossing Removal Project to focus on project development and delivery.

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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.

Director-General Kevin Devlin said change was evolution that aims to deliver the best value and outcomes for Victoria.

“This is a great opportunity to use our vast expertise and skills to deliver both major transport and health infrastructure projects together for the Victorian community,” Devlin said.

Victorian Health Building Authority CEO Megan Bourke-O’Neil said the new body would support the delivery of the state’s $15 billion health infrastructure project pipeline.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to join the transport infrastructure program and share our collective expertise under one united infrastructure delivery agency,” Bourke-O’Neil said.