$62M Kingaroy Hospital redevelopment project reaching milestones

Planning for Kingaroy Hospital’s $62 million redevelopment is well underway with the appointment this week of an architect to commence work on the project design.

Conrad Gargett, one of Australia’s most experienced health architectural firms, has been appointed as the principal design consultants. The firm has worked on other Queensland hospital projects including Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane and Mt Isa Hospital.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Acting Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D’Ath today visited the hospital to talk to staff about the redevelopment which will deliver South Burnett residents a greater range of health services, closer to home.

“The original Kingaroy Hospital, built under Labor Premier William Forgan Smith, has served this community very well since it opened in 1938,” the Premier said.

“The needs of the community have grown considerably since that time and I’m very pleased that my Labor government is delivering this much-needed $62M redevelopment to better equip the hospital for the future.

“The new 66-bed hospital will treat its first patients in 2021 and improve the facility’s role as a hub for trauma, paediatric, obstetric, rehabilitation and mental health services.

“The redeveloped hospital will also provide culturally-appropriate environments for the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

“I want to thank the hospital’s staff for the work they do and for the role they will play in working to deliver an improved facility for the community."

The Premier said stakeholder engagement would also occur to provide input to the design of the updated facility.

“This redevelopment will care for and serve the South Burnett community well into the future, so it’s only fitting that the community has a say in the hospital’s design to make sure it meets local needs,” she said.

“Next month, a community advisory group will be established with representatives from community organisations, other government departments, staff and the wider community.

“The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service is also liaising with the South Burnett Council and Mayor Keith Campbell to complement consultation and regular community communications.”

The redevelopment is funded as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $208.4 million Rural and Regional Infrastructure Package initiative and was announced in the 2017-2018 State Budget.

Mrs D’Ath said the funding package was a clear example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to improving health facilities in rural and remote areas across Queensland.

“This redevelopment is one of many hospital projects the Palaszczuk Government is delivering for regional and rural hospitals across the state,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The $208.4 million investment over four years will deliver essential upgrades to health facilities and supporting infrastructure for these communities.

“This funding is critical to ensuring that these communities receive the best healthcare possible in modern facilities wherever they live across our state.

“Since coming to office in 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has also increased funding to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service by more than $87M (23.5%) and delivered more than 200 additional nurses and more than 50 doctors.”

ENDS

Media contact:

Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791

Pam Frost (A/Health and Ambulance Services Minister’s office) 0437 696 809

Photos from today's visit to Kingaroy Hospital can be viewed here.