Thursday Island staff accommodation construction contract awarded
Published Friday, 06 July, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg
Tuesday, July 3 2012
Cairns-based Michael Camporeale Builders has won the contract to build the new $5.8 million Thursday Island staff accommodation complex.
Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, made the announcement as part of his visit to Thursday Island last week.
He said Camporeale Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Michael Camporeale Builders, was expected to start work on the project in July 2012, with actual construction scheduled to start in October 2012 and completion expected by late 2013, weather permitting.
The Commonwealth Government has contributed $4.2 million towards the cost of the project under its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program, with the remainder provided by the State Government.
The project involves the construction of eight by two-bedroom units on Thursday Island.
“A shortage of suitable accommodation often is a barrier to the successful recruitment and retention of health staff in remote areas such as the Torres Strait,’’ Mr Springborg said.
“This new accommodation complex will help improve the recruitment and retention of health professionals working in the Torres, including those being recruited for the new $39 million Chronic Disease Centre.
Minister Springborg said the staff accommodation project originally was proposed to be built on Horn Island. But after detailed investigation, it was decided that a site on Thursday Island was more appropriate.
“It will also be a far more attractive location for any potential new health staff thinking about coming to work on Thursday Island, as it is closely situated to the hospital and the new Chronic Disease Centre,’’ he said.
ENDS
For further information contact: Clare Mildren 0427 787 567
Cairns-based Michael Camporeale Builders has won the contract to build the new $5.8 million Thursday Island staff accommodation complex.
Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, made the announcement as part of his visit to Thursday Island last week.
He said Camporeale Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Michael Camporeale Builders, was expected to start work on the project in July 2012, with actual construction scheduled to start in October 2012 and completion expected by late 2013, weather permitting.
The Commonwealth Government has contributed $4.2 million towards the cost of the project under its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program, with the remainder provided by the State Government.
The project involves the construction of eight by two-bedroom units on Thursday Island.
“A shortage of suitable accommodation often is a barrier to the successful recruitment and retention of health staff in remote areas such as the Torres Strait,’’ Mr Springborg said.
“This new accommodation complex will help improve the recruitment and retention of health professionals working in the Torres, including those being recruited for the new $39 million Chronic Disease Centre.
Minister Springborg said the staff accommodation project originally was proposed to be built on Horn Island. But after detailed investigation, it was decided that a site on Thursday Island was more appropriate.
“It will also be a far more attractive location for any potential new health staff thinking about coming to work on Thursday Island, as it is closely situated to the hospital and the new Chronic Disease Centre,’’ he said.
ENDS
For further information contact: Clare Mildren 0427 787 567