Published Thursday, 23 October, 2025 at 02:19 PM

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

New MRI machine to boost Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion rollout

  • The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services for the Wide Bay region.
  • Construction is progressing on a new medical ward, intensive care unit, rooftop helipad and car park for the Hervey Bay Hospital, as part of the Crisafulli Government’s fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan.
  • Hervey Bay Hospital is also receiving a new MRI machine following a local campaign – the first for a public hospital in the Wide Bay region.
  • The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them, and a fresh start for Queensland.  

The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services for the Wide Bay, with construction progressing on key upgrades at the Hervey Bay Hospital. 

As part of the Crisafulli Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan, works are underway on the new medical ward, intensive care unit, rooftop helipad and car park. 

It is one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering for Queensland, with access to health services when you need them. 

Last week’s announcement that the Hervey Bay Hospital is set to receive a new MRI machine – a first for the Wide Bay area – complements the $94 million expansion project. 

A decade of Labor decline left Wide Bay health services on life support, with both the elective surgery waitlist and the ambulance ramping rate skyrocketing year on year.  

The Crisafulli Government is committed to healing Labor’s Health Crisis, with its fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan delivering more than 2,600 beds across Queensland and its more than $270 million investment to deliver new MRI and CT machines across the State - including the one at Hervey Bay.  

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, exactly as promised. 

“Labor left the Wide Bay health system on life support, but the Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services to reverse Labor’s decade of decline,” Minister Nicholls said. 

Wide Bay’s hospital operating budget is over $1 billion this year – a record level of funding for the region – which means more hospital staff and better health services  

“The new MRI machine and the Hospital Rescue Plan’s Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion are crucial to providing ongoing, world-class health care for this growing area.” 

Member for Hervey Bay David Lee campaigned hard to get a new MRI machine in Hervey Bay, sponsoring a petition with over 6,000 signatures from local residents. 

“Labor ignored the need for an MRI during their decade in power,” Mr Lee said.  

“I am so proud that the Crisafulli Government recognised the need in our region and is now delivering this life-saving technology that will benefit Hervey Bay and beyond.” 

Member for Maryborough John Barounis said the big changes happening at the Hervey Bay Hospital were in addition to recent investments in Maryborough.  

"Whether it’s recently opened older persons mental unit in Maryborough, the Hervey Bay Hospital Expansion, or the new Bundaberg Hospital, the Crisafulli Government is investing in quality health care closer to home,” Mr Barounis said.  

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Torny Miller, 0439 426 196  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

New MRI machine 

The new MRI machine will see an expansion to the current medical imaging department. The new machine which will help diagnose a variety of conditions including tumours, infections, organ diseases, and traumatic injuries earlier, reducing the need for patient travel or access to private scanning clinics.  

Rooftop helipad  

Installation of the new rooftop helipad is forging ahead with the frame and decking due to be complete in the coming months. It will play a vital role in speeding up medical responses and enabling the safe and efficient transport of unwell patients. 

New ICU 

The new ICU is also taking shape, with framing and walls going up. It will feature ceiling-mounted pendants and patient lifters to support safe, modern care. Some of these lifters will be bariatric-capable, ensuring dignity and comfort for all patients. 

Car park 

The separate ground-level car park project is also making strong headway, with the first phase complete and work now underway at the rear of the hospital to expand staff parking – freeing up more spaces at the front for patients and visitors. 

Read more about the Hervey Bay Hospital expansion projects here: Hervey Bay Hospital expansion | Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.