SUNSHINE COAST’S NEW $1 BILLION HOSPITAL A STEP CLOSER

A contract to purchase land at Kawana for the Sunshine Coast’s new $1 billion hospital has been signed by the State Government, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson told State Parliament the government had reached contractual agreement with property developer, Stockland Developments, over the 20 hectare Birtinya site near Kawana Waters.

The land is located on the southern side of the Kawana Way/Lake Kawana Boulevard intersection.

“This is the important first step towards the new state-of-the-art tertiary hospital we’re committed to building for the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Robertson said.

“The hospital will be a large acute care facility with capacity for 650 beds and a range of specialist clinical services.

“It will also serve as a tertiary referral facility for the Sunshine Coast.

“Importantly, the new hospital will be the cornerstone of a major expansion of health services we are undertaking to meet the future health care needs of the fast-growing Sunshine Coast region,” he said.

Mr Robertson said Stockland Developments would complete the filling of the site and construct certain external service infrastructure prior to settlement.

“Subject to these works being completed, we’re aiming for settlement of the contract in mid 2007.

“At the same time, Queensland Health continues to progress service and master planning for the new hospital.

“Discussions have been initiated with Caloundra City Council and other government agencies to progress development of the Kawana site and ensure the provision of supporting infrastructure for the hospital.

“Queensland Health will also explore options for partnering with private health service providers in conjunction with the new hospital and as part of health service planning for the region.”

Mr Robertson said the site is conveniently located to take advantage of the massive investment being made by the Queensland Government in roads and public transport on the Sunshine Coast.

It will be easily accessible through road, rail and bus through the upgraded Caloundra-Mooloolaba Road as well as the planned Caloundra to Maroochydore bus corridor and planned CAMCOS rail corridor.

The hospital will deliver high quality tertiary hospital facilities and is expected to deliver services including:

·Emergency medicine

·Internal medicine

·Specialist cardiology

·A cancer centre

·Expansion of specialist surgical services

·Expanded intensive care and high dependency units

·Specialised services for new born children and their mothers

·Additional visiting paediatric sub-specialists

·Inpatient rehabilitation units

·Upgrades of diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and nuclear medicine services

·Integrated patient information systems.

The hospital is planned to be operational by 2014 with an initial 450 beds.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190