NORTH Link hosted the Epping Health Precinct event in conjunction with the City of Whittlesea on 13 March 2025 at Mantra Melbourne Epping. It was a remarkable gathering of healthcare leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from Melbourne’s north. The event explored the evolving healthcare landscape, highlighted investment opportunities, and strengthened collaboration within the region.

Event Highlights

The event featured several keynote presentations and engaging discussions:

• Investment Attraction – Michelle Isherwood, Manager Economic Development at City of Whittlesea, outlined the various growth and development opportunities available in Melbourne’s north. Her presentation highlighted strategic investment areas and the importance of attracting businesses to the region to further enhance economic growth and job creation.
• NORTH Link Overview – Chris James, Executive Director of NORTH Link, provided a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s efforts in connecting government, industry, community, and educational institutions to enhance growth opportunities in Melbourne’s north. NORTH Link plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, promoting funding and growth opportunities, and enabling skills development through initiatives like the Assistive Technology Cluster, aimed at bridging manufacturers and healthcare providers.
• New Epping Health Hub Presentation – Ben Rowe, Project Director at Riverlee, delivered a compelling presentation on the $1 billion, 7ha New Epping Health Hub. The hub is designed as a state-of-the-art health and innovation precinct, aiming to integrate commercial, educational, retail, and residential services to promote wellness and sustainability. Ben highlighted the project’s vision of becoming the northern destination for excellence in healthcare by delivering amenities that cater to diverse occupiers and visitors.
• ICN Victoria & Medtech Opportunities – Dr. Craig Neylon from ICN Victoria discussed the importance of local manufacturing and assistive technology collaboration. His presentation focused on how manufacturers and health providers can effectively work together to produce and modify assistive products, thereby creating new opportunities within the Medtech sector. Dr. Neylon emphasised the role of ICN Victoria in connecting the supply chain, enhancing local capability, and consulting with buyers and suppliers to meet industry needs.
• Healthcare in the Digital Age – Simon Tatz and Carole Kenny-Sarasa from the Australasian Institute of Digital Health shared insights into how AI and digital technology are transforming the healthcare landscape. They presented key findings from AI Care 2024 and discussed the policy roadmap developed by the Australian Alliance for AI in Healthcare. They highlighted challenges and opportunities in leveraging AI for healthcare, emphasising the need for collaboration between stakeholders to ensure responsible and effective AI deployment.

Key Takeaways

• The New Epping Health Hub aims to be a major provider of acute, maternity, sub-acute, and specialist services, with ambitious expansion plans to cater to Melbourne’s growing healthcare needs.
• Collaborative efforts between industry, healthcare providers, and technology innovators are essential for future growth and sustainability.
• Leveraging digital technology, including AI, presents both opportunities and challenges for enhancing healthcare delivery and infrastructure.