AIRPORT SALE GIVE CAIRNS, MACKAY & MT ISA NEW HOSPITALS
Published Tuesday, 15 April, 2008 at 12:53 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
New Government funding has been secured that will deliver a major expansion and redevelopment of Cairns, Mackay and Mt Isa Hospitals, Premier Anna Bligh told State Parliament this morning.
“Airport sales in Cairns, Mackay and the sale of the Government’s stake in Brisbane Airport will fund major hospital upgrades,” said the Premier.
“In the seven months since becoming Premier I have visited these communities - including on-site inspections of Mackay and Cairns hospitals - and I have given undertakings with the respective communities to find a way to deliver.
“Today I honour those promises and my government will deliver.
“It is vital we redirect the airport sale funds back into these geographically important hospitals,” said the Premier.
“Every cent of these airport sales will be reinvested in regional infrastructure,” she said.
• Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Cairns Hospital will be expanded and a new clinical wing will be delivered.
“It will be the new hub for more surgical and day beds, additional cardiac care facilities and a day surgery unit.
"The new building will also deliver enhanced aged care and rehabilitation facilities and radiation oncology services.
“In addition, a new comprehensive cancer care unit will be delivered in consultation with local group COUCH,” he said
“We will also fast track the acquisition of a large parcel of land on the southside of Cairns that will provide for future health service needs.
• Mr Robertson said the Mackay’s Health Master Plan recommends building a brand new Hospital on the site of the existing facility.
"The Bligh Government has delivered practical plans to transform Mackay Hospital into a new, state of the art health facility that would offer substantially expanded clinical services to the region's residents," Mr Robertson said.
"The Mackay Health Master Plan outlines sensible solutions that would see the Hospital rebuilt in 2 stages.
• He said that Mount Isa Hospital is also set for a major upgrade with the State Government providing $65.2 million for an expanded Emergency Department and other new health facilities.
The Mt Isa project, to be delivered over four years, would include new outpatients, primary health and community health facilities in a new building on the current hospital site.
Mount Isa would soon become a bigger hub for training rural practitioners.
The project includes better training facilities for medical and nursing students at James Cook University’s Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health.
“It will provide a world-class learning environment for rural health practitioners, such as trainee rural generalists which will, in turn, help attract medical and nursing graduates to the region,” said Mr Robertson.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said that today’s announcement is about continuing the Government’s commitment to make the forward-thinking decisions to provide for the needs of growing communities.
“Its about making the tough calls that strong governments make. Its about facing up to the needs of a modern Queensland, and making choices, not sitting still.
“Governments around the world aren’t in the business of running airports. We’ve seen the success of airports that have benefited from private investment.
“We will no longer be in the business of airports,” he said.
Ms Bligh said that the sale of the Cairns and Mackay airports is not expected to have any negative impact on passenger or tourist numbers.
“In fact, there is potential for the new ownership arrangements at the airports to result in greater investment in the airport and associated facilities.
“Given the attractiveness of these quality assets - strong interest from both national and international bidders - is expected.
“Market interest in the Cairns and Mackay Airports and the 12% share in Brisbane is anticipated to be very high and I’m confident the sale will deliver the funds needed to cover the new health infrastructure,” she said.
Ms Bligh said that the sale of the Cairns and Mackay airports is not expected to have any negative impact on passenger or tourist numbers.
“In fact, there is potential for the new ownership arrangements at the airports to result in greater investment in the airport and associated facilities,” she said.
Media contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Treasurer’s Office 3224 5982
Minister Robertson’s Office 3234 1185
“Airport sales in Cairns, Mackay and the sale of the Government’s stake in Brisbane Airport will fund major hospital upgrades,” said the Premier.
“In the seven months since becoming Premier I have visited these communities - including on-site inspections of Mackay and Cairns hospitals - and I have given undertakings with the respective communities to find a way to deliver.
“Today I honour those promises and my government will deliver.
“It is vital we redirect the airport sale funds back into these geographically important hospitals,” said the Premier.
“Every cent of these airport sales will be reinvested in regional infrastructure,” she said.
• Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Cairns Hospital will be expanded and a new clinical wing will be delivered.
“It will be the new hub for more surgical and day beds, additional cardiac care facilities and a day surgery unit.
"The new building will also deliver enhanced aged care and rehabilitation facilities and radiation oncology services.
“In addition, a new comprehensive cancer care unit will be delivered in consultation with local group COUCH,” he said
“We will also fast track the acquisition of a large parcel of land on the southside of Cairns that will provide for future health service needs.
• Mr Robertson said the Mackay’s Health Master Plan recommends building a brand new Hospital on the site of the existing facility.
"The Bligh Government has delivered practical plans to transform Mackay Hospital into a new, state of the art health facility that would offer substantially expanded clinical services to the region's residents," Mr Robertson said.
"The Mackay Health Master Plan outlines sensible solutions that would see the Hospital rebuilt in 2 stages.
• He said that Mount Isa Hospital is also set for a major upgrade with the State Government providing $65.2 million for an expanded Emergency Department and other new health facilities.
The Mt Isa project, to be delivered over four years, would include new outpatients, primary health and community health facilities in a new building on the current hospital site.
Mount Isa would soon become a bigger hub for training rural practitioners.
The project includes better training facilities for medical and nursing students at James Cook University’s Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health.
“It will provide a world-class learning environment for rural health practitioners, such as trainee rural generalists which will, in turn, help attract medical and nursing graduates to the region,” said Mr Robertson.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said that today’s announcement is about continuing the Government’s commitment to make the forward-thinking decisions to provide for the needs of growing communities.
“Its about making the tough calls that strong governments make. Its about facing up to the needs of a modern Queensland, and making choices, not sitting still.
“Governments around the world aren’t in the business of running airports. We’ve seen the success of airports that have benefited from private investment.
“We will no longer be in the business of airports,” he said.
Ms Bligh said that the sale of the Cairns and Mackay airports is not expected to have any negative impact on passenger or tourist numbers.
“In fact, there is potential for the new ownership arrangements at the airports to result in greater investment in the airport and associated facilities.
“Given the attractiveness of these quality assets - strong interest from both national and international bidders - is expected.
“Market interest in the Cairns and Mackay Airports and the 12% share in Brisbane is anticipated to be very high and I’m confident the sale will deliver the funds needed to cover the new health infrastructure,” she said.
Ms Bligh said that the sale of the Cairns and Mackay airports is not expected to have any negative impact on passenger or tourist numbers.
“In fact, there is potential for the new ownership arrangements at the airports to result in greater investment in the airport and associated facilities,” she said.
Media contacts:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Treasurer’s Office 3224 5982
Minister Robertson’s Office 3234 1185