Sod turn signals landmark health expansion

• Work has begun on the $530 million expansion of Townsville University Hospital (TUH).
• The first stage will see the construction of a temporary helipad and the addition of a further 330 staff carparks.
• Managing contractors BESIX Watpac were awarded the tender to deliver the expansion project at TUH.

The major expansion of the Townsville University Hospital will deliver 143 new beds to meet the growing health needs of the North Queensland community.

Work is underway to build a temporary helipad to allow for a new clinical building to be constructed where the helipad is currently located.

Once complete, the new multi-storey clinical building will provide more acute care, rehabilitation and outpatient services such as enhanced telehealth services.

Construction is expected to generate around 1,454 fulltime equivalent jobs for the region and is set to reach practical completion in late 2026.

With Townsville projected to experience the largest population growth in regional Queensland, the Miles Government continues to build the health infrastructure needed for the future.

The TUH expansion accompanies the $40 million expansion of the Kirwan Community Health Campus, construction of the $17 million hybrid theatre and the $10.6 million clinical services upgrade of the North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service and the outpatients department.

This project is part of the Miles Labor Government’s record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland’s Big Build initiative.

The plan to deliver new and expanded hospitals helps ensure continued access to world-class healthcare for rapidly growing regions – boosting capacity through expansions to 11 existing hospitals, building three new hospitals, seven satellite and building a dedicated cancer centre.

Queensland’s Health Big Build is delivering over 3,300 additional hospital beds, including 199 in 2023 and 239 in 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“The Miles Government’s landmark investment is delivering more healthcare and more jobs for the Townsville community.

“North Queenslanders deserves modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities – and that’s what we’re building.  

“I’m excited to see the work kick off on the largest expansion to the Townsville University Hospital in nearly a decade.

“This is about making sure people in Townsville can continue to access world class healthcare close to home for years to come.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:

“Townsville University Hospital is already delivering fantastic world class to people in the city and the throughout North Queensland.

“This expansion is important in delivering these services closer to home, particularly as Townsville grows in the future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:

“As a former paramedic I know how important it is to invest in our hospital and health care in general which is why I’m so excited to see this work begin.

“It’s the Miles Government that will invest in expanding Townsville University Hospital and backing our staff unlike the LNP who sacked 398 health staff, including 156 nurses, from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service last time they were in government.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Townsville Scott Stewart:

“We promised more beds at Townsville University Hospital and that’s exactly what the Miles Government is delivering.

“Townsville is a fantastic place to live so we’re focused on delivering world class infrastructure like this for the community because know it will make a difference to their lives.”

Quotes attributable to Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes:

We know that our community is growing and ageing, and this significant capital expansion ensures that we continue to deliver contemporary, world-class health infrastructure to keep north Queenslanders healthy well into the future.

The construction of the temporary helipad is the first stage in expanding the health services we offer for our growing region.

The new clinical building will be constructed on top of the current helipad location and this temporary helipad means those patients who come in via helicopter retrieval or transfer will still land on the hospital campus.

ENDS