The big players in Victorian construction are bidding for a high-profile government contract, to rebuild the iconic Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

The announcement of a large-scale redevelopment was made by Premier Denis Napthine, Minister for Health David Davis and CEO of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Ann Clark.

“The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital is a critical component of the Victorian health system, delivering more than half of Victoria’s public general ear surgery and 90 per cent of the State’s specialist eye surgery,” Dr Napthine said, “this redevelopment will see the existing buildings, located between the two 10-storey towers, demolished to make way for the construction of a connecting building with five fully integrated levels.”

Health Minister David Davis said “the redevelopment will greatly improve the efficiency of services to more than 240,000 patients who utilise the hospital each year... it will provide new inpatient wards and same-day recovery areas. It will also include purpose-built accommodation for the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Melbourne University to support their ongoing world-class research.”

The redevelopment of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is expected to be complete in late 2017; the shortlist of potential building firms includes Baulderstone, Brookfield, Cockram, Hansen Yuncken, Kane and Leighton.