Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Torres health boost on track

Work on the $17.4 million redevelopment of four Torres Strait island primary healthcare centres has reached the halfway point with two islands completed.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D’Ath said the redevelopment of the primary healthcare centres (PHCC) on Poruma (Coconut) and Masig (Yorke) islands had been finished.

Minister D’Ath said the island PHCC works are part of $100 million worth of capital projects for the Torres and Cape HHS either completed in the past three years, underway, or in the planning stages

“With the works on Poruma and Masig now complete, staff will begin relocating into the new facilities in early May,’’ she said.

“A third island, Dauan, is due for completion next month (May), with the final island, Ugar (Stephen), expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting.’’

Cairns-based WIP Qld Pty Ltd is undertaking the construction works.

Ms D’Ath said the redevelopment of the four island PHCCs was supporting about 49 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs during the construction period.

“The works on all four islands include a redevelopment of the existing PHCC and a new building extension,’’ she said.

“The upgraded PHCCS each will contain a treatment room, consultation rooms, staff amenities, disabled access, a new main entry lobby, reception and manager’s office, along with dedicated emergency vehicle parking.

“In addition, Ugar and Dauan islands each will receive two studio-style staff accommodation units with shared staff laundry and staff parking, while Poruma Island has been provided with a new two-bedroom, self-contained staff accommodation unit.’’

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the improvement in staff accommodation at Ugar, Dauan and Poruma islands would ensure the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service could continue to attract and retain staff to the communities.

“It will also help accommodate a growing range of visiting health professionals delivering more specialised services to the island communities,’’ Ms Lui said.

“There is also planning for a fifth island health centre, St Paul’s Community PHCC on Moa Island, with community consultations were still ongoing.”

Torres and Cape HHS works

Underway

• $46 million – redevelopment of Thursday Island Hospital and primary healthcare centre (works under way)

• $8.86 million multiple works at Weipa Integrated Health Service for a new CT scanner, new birthing unit, new primary healthcare clinic, relocated pharmacy and renal dialysis unit and air-conditioning and chiller upgrade (relocation of pharmacy and dialysis unit completed with other works continuing)
• $7 million replacement of the Mer Island Primary Healthcare Centre (community consultations ongoing)
• $1.9 million – Northern primary healthcare centres generator upgrades (under way)
• $1.8 million – Coen Primary Healthcare Centre morgue and conference centre roof replacement (construction under way)
• $1.42 million – replacement of the Primary Healthcare Centre roof at Wujal Wujal (construction under way)
• $1.255 million – upgrade of the helicopter landing site at Wujal Wujal Primary Healthcare Centre (construction contract has been awarded)

Completed

• $3.67 million – new staff accommodation at Bamaga Hospital (completed January 2021.)
• $1.65 million – Bamaga Hospital roof replacement (completed September 2020)
• $600,000 to upgrade existing electrical systems at Bamaga Hospital (completed October 2020)
• $3.4 million upgrade of staff accommodation at the Kowanyama Primary Healthcare Centre (completed late February 2019)
• $1 million – electrical upgrades at 14 health facilities across the Torres and Cape region (completed November 2018)
• $8.1 million Aurukun Primary Healthcare Centre redevelopment (completed August 2018)

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008