Demolition plan for Southport Hospital

The Newman Government will demolish the Southport Hospital and sell the CBD land for development.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney today detailed the Government’s plan for the key site and signalled the demolition process was expected to start next year.

Comprising approximately 3.5 hectares, the vacant hospital land will be a catalyst site for Southport and falls within the newly declared Southport Priority Development Area.

“That is why the Government has made the decision to sell a clean site to maximise the return to the state and most importantly to ensure that development can occur as rapidly as possible.

“It will give the private sector the opportunity to create an innovative development.”

Mr Seeney said the Government was in the process of appointing a project manager to deal with the demolition and site preparation.

He said the appointment of a project manager was expected within weeks.

Member for Southport and Assistant Minister for Planning Reform Rob Molhoek said demolition details would be known once the project manager refined the scope for the work.

“Southport businesses and residents will be kept fully informed,” Mr Molhoek said.

“While the bulk of the hospital operations have moved to the new hospital, the Blood Bank will remain at the Southport site until early November.”

Mr Seeney said the government expected to have a marketing campaign underway next year.

“We will seek to provide maximum opportunities through the creation of a number of sites that can be individually purchased or combined in one single purchase. We will let the market decide,” he said.

“The Government has sought market advice to ensure the disposal best suits market conditions.

“A clean site will offer the best opportunity for the marketplace and will get the best return for the state.”

[ENDS] 4 October 2013                               

Media Contact: John Wiseman -  0409 791 281