Strengthening communications and engagement across major health infrastructure
Challenge
Major health infrastructure projects carry high expectations. Patients, staff and communities want to understand what is planned, have a say in decisions that affect them and know what construction will mean for them.
Across a large portfolio, each project brings different technical requirements, partnerships and local concerns, often under significant public and political scrutiny. When people are not properly informed or consulted, concerns can escalate and opposition can delay or even halt a project.
The challenge was to provide clear advice and coordinated communications across the portfolio, while giving each community meaningful opportunities to contribute.
What We Did
Vant’s directors led communications and stakeholder engagement across some of Victoria’s largest and most complex health infrastructure projects, including public–private partnerships.
We worked closely with executives, ministers’ offices, health services and project delivery teams to provide strategic advice, plan and deliver engagement, and manage sensitive issues. Our advice informed project decisions, helping identify and address community concerns and reputational risks early.
We established clear responsibilities, shared processes and communications working groups to help the organisations involved coordinate their work and respond to emerging issues.
Community engagement included information sessions, workshops, surveys and online activities, with clear explanations of what people could influence and reporting back on their feedback.
We engaged early with Traditional Owners, recognising their role in protecting cultural heritage and supporting consultation throughout Cultural Heritage Management Plan processes. We also worked with culturally and linguistically diverse communities so their needs and experiences could inform planning and design.
We managed communications about property acquisition, changes to project commitments and construction impacts, helping explain difficult decisions and respond to concerns.
The work ranged from regular community updates and stakeholder briefings to coordinating major announcements and events, supported by media materials, videos, digital and social media content.
Outcome
The work strengthened coordination across the portfolio, with clearer responsibilities and more consistent processes for identifying and managing issues.
Decision-makers had strategic advice informed by community concerns and local knowledge, while communities had practical ways to contribute to the planning and design of their local health facilities.
Addressing concerns early and keeping people involved helped build community understanding and support, reduce the risk of avoidable delays and enable smoother delivery from planning through construction to opening.
*This case study reflects experience gained by both Vant directors in previous leadership roles.