Deakin University has opened its new $53 million Regional Community Health Hub in Geelong last week.

The Hub, opened by State Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips, forms part of a new regional health and medical education and research precinct at Warun Ponds. The precinct will also include the soon-to-be-constructed Epworth/Deakin Teaching Hospital.

“REACH completes another step towards Deakin achieving its vision of a world class health and research precinct to serve the communities of Geelong and regional Victoria,” Vice-Chancellor den Hollander said.

“We believe this development will bring opportunities for people in rural and regional communities by delivering new health programs in partnership with industry and health professionals to address one of Australia’s wicked problems, the significant health workforce shortages which confront rural and regional Australia.”

The Victorian Coalition Government contributed $7 million to the REACH project through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.