The Queensland State Government will invest $1.2 billion to deliver a new state-of-the-art Bundaberg Hospital on a new site, as part of the largest investment in hospitals and beds in Queensland’s history.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment was part of the Queensland Health and Hospitals Plan.
She said: “In the lead-up to the last election in 2020, I came to Bundaberg, stood next to Tom Smith and together we committed to build a new hospital in Bundaberg.
“I’m back in Bundy to announce that we’ve delivered the funds in the State Budget to deliver on our promise.
“Already, we’re getting on with the job. Planning is well underway, early works will start off-site by the end of this year, with work onsite beginning in early 2023.
“This is a significant development for Bundaberg – creating jobs, easing pressure on the Wide Bay health service and ensuring locals have better access to care when and where they need it.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the facility would add an additional 121 beds, providing a modern space tailored to the needs of the community.
D’Ath said: “The Bundaberg region has felt the significant demand pressures of the past two years.
“The population is growing, it’s ageing, and more people are presenting with more complex conditions than ever before.
“The new Bundaberg Hospital will expand the region’s capacity with 121 new beds, ensuring the health service can continue to provide the care the community needs into the future.”
The new Bundaberg Hospital is expected to open in the second half of 2027.
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith welcomed the $1.2 billion investment and the incredible benefits the new hospital would bring for the community.
Smith said: “The new Bundaberg Hospital is a game changer for our region, and will enable more locals to receive care closer to home.
“Construction of the new hospital will also provide a big boost for the local economy, with this project alone creating around 2,887 jobs during construction.”
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board (WBHHB) Chair Peta Jamieson said she was thrilled with the announcement and the state government’s continued commitment towards this project.
Jamieson said: “It provides an opportunity for significant expansion to healthcare services capacity and capability within the region.
“It will also provide a substantial boost to the local economy, not only with the provision of construction jobs and additional clinical and support services once the new hospital is open, but also broader flow-on economic benefits that are delivered to the entire region.”
WBHHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said she was incredibly excited for what a new Bundaberg Hospital will mean to staff and the local community.
Carroll said: “It’s been a tough few years as we’ve navigated through the pandemic, so I’m pleased to see the light at the end of the tunnel shining even brighter after the state government’s announcement.
“A new Bundaberg Hospital will address rising demand in the local community by increasing access to health services and future-proof our public healthcare system to better meet the changing and growing needs of Wide Bay residents.
“The site also has ample space for future expansion of health services, when needed.”
Minister D’Ath noted the 2022-23 Budget provides additional funding of $9.78 billion over six years to deliver new hospitals and new beds across the state.
She added: “The Palaszczuk Government’s additional funding of $9.78 billion for new hospitals and new beds is the largest in Queensland’s history.
“The new hospitals and hospital expansion projects announced in the Budget will deliver 2,509 extra beds across Queensland, in addition to the 869 beds being delivered through our current expansion projects.
“This builds on the 1,350 additional beds we’ve opened across the state since 2015.”
