Record health budget delivers more beds and better services for Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay Hospital will be expanded and a new mental health unit delivered as part of a record $23.6 billion health budget from the Palaszczuk Government.

Visiting Hervey Bay Hospital today, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the two projects featured in a $771.9 million investment in Wide Bay healthcare.

“Our $40 million Hervey Bay Hospital expansion will provide around 35 additional beds, including 10 more intensive care beds, and a new rooftop helipad,” the Treasurer said.

“We’re also continuing development of the hospital’s new 22-bed acute mental health inpatient unit, with $17 million allocated in this year’s budget towards the facility.

“The unit will enable us to transition the existing mental health inpatient unit at Maryborough Hospital to a 10-bed sub-acute specialist unit for older people.

“This increase and repositioning of services will better serve the needs of the community and will lead to improved health outcomes.

“Together these two projects at Hervey Bay Hospital will support 215 construction jobs, while the new mental health inpatient unit will create 30 full-time health jobs locally,” he said.

“The 2022-23 State Budget continues our government’s work protecting the health of Queenslanders.”

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the Palaszczuk Government’s record health budget is about ensuring Queenslanders can get first-class medical care, no matter where they live.

“With $771.9 million in the budget for Wide Bay healthcare in 2022-23 we’ll hire more doctors, nurses and ambos,” Mr Tantari said.

“This will build on the 422 extra nurses and 142 extra doctors our government has already delivered for the region since 2015.

“As our community grows our services need to grow with it, and this budget invests in that.

“From healthcare and education to infrastructure and social housing, the Palaszczuk Government is backing Hervey Bay.”

Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said Wide Bay will also benefit from a new ten-year, $334 million deal between the Queensland Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

“In all weather, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the RFDS is there to care for Queenslanders in need, wherever they may be,” Ms D’Ath said.

“This is yet another example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to funding world-class healthcare for every Queenslander.”

Discussing other areas of the budget, Mr Dick said a $1.2 billion infrastructure spend across the Wide Bay will support 3900 local jobs.

“With projects like the new $180 million four-lane highway from Woondum to Curra along the Bruce, delivered in partnership with the federal government, we’re connecting communities and unlocking new economic opportunities,” he said.

“Our government is also investing $184.9 million to construct new rollingstock trains in Maryborough, and $46 million for social housing across the Wide Bay, to put more roofs over peoples’ heads.

“Since 2015 the Palaszczuk Government has created 459,000 jobs, and we’re working hard to grow that number even further.

“Good jobs. Better Services. Great lifestyle. That’s what the 2022-23 Queensland Budget is all about.”

Other Wide Bay budget investments include:

• $85.1 million for Stanwell to build, own and operate the new 150 megawatt battery near Tarong Power Station to provide energy storage capacity
• $5.1 million to deliver a new hall at Urangan State High School
• $66.7 million to replace and refurbish existing infrastructure at Tarong Power Station to ensure continued reliability of electricity supply
• $21 million to replace and refurbish handling equipment and infrastructure at Meandu Mine
• $15 million for Port of Bundaberg initiatives, including $4.7 million for wharf redevelopment and $1 million for tug facility upgrades
• $3.7 million to complete an upgrade of the police facility at Maryborough
• $3 million for dingo fencing on K’gari to protect visitors and residents
• $18.6 million to carry out refurbishment works at Kilkivan substation to improve network performance

To find out more view the Wide Bay Queensland Regional Action Plan, or visit budget.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561