New substation to power Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Work is underway on a new $23.7 million electricity substation at Birtinya to power the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital and medical precinct.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the $1.87 billion hospital development would transform the Sunshine Coast region – providing word-class health facilities for Sunshine Coast families and visitors.

Mr McArdle said a secure and reliable electricity supply was essential to the success of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital project.

“We’re delivering better planning and infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast with the opening of this substation,” Mr McArdle said.

“This new 60 megawatt substation will not only provide power to the new hospitals and medical hub, but in the future it will also supply neighbouring suburbs for the next generation of Sunshine Coast families.

“The Sunshine Coast University Hospital will be a world-class medical facility that will mean about 10,000 patients a year will need not travel to Brisbane to get the level of health care they need.”

Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said the hospital project was generating work for local businesses.

“The hospital development will generate more than 11,000 jobs during the construction phase and 3,500 positions when it opens in 2016,” Mr Bleijie said.

“It is estimated 60 per cent of developer Lend Lease’s investment in the project has been directed towards Sunshine Coast businesses.”

Mr McArdle said the project, together with the recent release of PowerQ: a 30 year strategy for Queensland’s electricity sector, showed the Queensland Government had a strong plan for a brighter future.

“Labor’s only plan is to rebuild the team that was responsible for a decade of skyrocketing electricity prices and cost of living pain for Queensland families,” he said.

Mr McArdle said contractor Zinfra had a proven history in infrastructure projects, including upgrades of Energex’s Nambour substation, and was due to complete the substation around March-April 2015.

[ENDS] 10 July 2014

Media Contact: Phil Hind 0437 334 183