Car park concrete poured for Rockhampton Hospital

The $25.5 million Rockhampton Hospital car park has had its first floor of concrete poured - marking a key milestone in the construction of the project.

Inspecting the site today, Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in the project reflected the commitment to better infrastructure and services for the region.

“This year’s State Budget included the biggest investment in infrastructure since the 2011 floods and will not only deliver benefits for Central Queensland, it will support thousands of local jobs,” Ms Trad said.

“In this region we will invest more than $1 billion on infrastructure and capital works in the coming year alone, supporting around 3,500 local jobs.

“Whether it’s this car park, the construction of Rookwood Weir or Bruce Highway upgrades, we want to deliver the right projects, in the right place at the right time to meet the needs of the local community.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the car park would double in capacity and be operational by January 2019.

“This project will deliver 597 more car parks so that locals will be able to visit their friends and loved ones more with far greater ease, making the hospital trip that bit better,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“For locals this means jobs, improved services and more investment in our region.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to Rockhampton is second to none, and I am fighting to ensure it stays that way.”

The project is jointly funded with the Federal Government and Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.

Assistant Minister for Treasury and Member for Gladstone said the Budget’s record investment in vital services like health and education would deliver quality care that locals deserved.

“In addition to the investment in capital works, this Budget continues the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in essential frontline services cut under the LNP,” Mr Butcher said.

“Since coming to Government we have employed an extra 144 nurses and 77 extra doctors - helping patients in this region.

“And in education we have employed an extra 137 teachers and 58 teacher’s aides to give our kids the best start.”

The Budget is delivering for Central Queensland:

•          $1.044 billion for infrastructure and capital works supporting 3,500 local jobs
•          More than $610 million for the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service
•          $352 million for the Rookwood Weir
•          $14.3 million to deliver the 42-bed residential drug rehabilitation and treatment facility in Rockhampton
•          $4.1 million to upgrade the Yeppoon branch rail line
•          $25 million for the Great Keppel Island Recovery package
•          $8 million for the Rockhampton Art Gallery

Media contact: Clare Manton 0432 446 268