First works start at Roma Hospital

Work on the $70 million new Roma Hospital is underway with the first of two early works packages starting this week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told State Parliament.

Ms Palaszczuk, who announced the project in Roma in January, said the full program of pathology refurbishment and relocation works should be completed by mid-December. 

She said local contractor Brett Cherry Builders Pty Ltd had won the tender to undertake the refurbishment component of the works.

“The local contractor will refurbish a section of the existing Roma Hospital to house the relocated Pathology Department,’’ she said.

“Once this relocation is completed, the existing separate Pathology Building, the old nurses’ quarters and the hospital swimming pool will be demolished to clear the area for the start of construction of the new $70 million hospital.’’

“These demolition works are expected to start as scheduled from mid-December, as soon as the pathology relocation has been completed.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the successful tenderer for the demolition works would be known by the end of November.

“I am also happy to announce that Jacobs has won the tender for the appointment of the Principal Design Consultant for the Roma Hospital project,’’ he said.

“Jacobs were involved in the development of the initial draft schematic design for the new hospital earlier this year.

“As such, they are very well placed to take this important community project forward.

“As Principal Design Consultant, Jacobs will now start undertaking the detailed architectural design of the new hospital.

“They will be responsible for the day to day management of the design and documentation process, including coordinating the work of sub-consultants such as project engineers.’’

The hospital is part of the Queensland Government’s $180 million Enhancing Regional Hospitals program and is being built specifically to meet the needs of the region and its people and to reflect the latest advances in healthcare and technology.

“The current Roma Hospital was built in the 1940s and while it’s served the Maranoa well, it’s been the Palaszczuk Government which has committed to building a new one,’’ Mr Dick said.

“As a government, we are committed to making Queenslanders among the healthiest people in the world by 2026 and this means improving access to quality and safe healthcare for all Queenslanders, wherever they live, including in regional areas like the South West.’’

South West Hospital and Health Board Chair Lindsay Godfrey said the Roma Hospital works would be a huge boost for the Maranoa community as well as the region as a whole.

“I would like to thank Health Minister Cameron Dick, the State Government and the Department of Health for their continued and generous support and investment in better health services for the South West,’’ Mr Godfrey said.

Mr Dick said in addition to the $70 million new Roma Hospital project, a further $11.3 million worth of health infrastructure works either recently had been completed, were under way or about to get under way in the South West.

“They include previously announced upgrading and improvement works at Roma, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Injune and Quilpie,’’ he said.

“Those works which are still under way or about to get under way are expected to be completed progressively between November this year and September next year.

“These works underline our determination to ensure health facilities throughout the South West remain up to date and fit for purpose, to ensure they continue serving the community long into the future.’’

Media contact: Premier’s office 3719 7000