The former Wynnum Hospital site in Queensland will be transformed into a new Indigenous aged care facility after it was handed over to a local community group by the Palaszczuk Government.
The old hospital site was officially handed over to the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation (Winnam) today, fulfilling a 2020 election commitment.
After the Wynnum Hospital was shut down by the previous LNP government, the Palaszczuk Government opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre to address the healthcare needs of Baysiders.
Winnam will now demolish the old hospital site and build a new residential aged care facility with more than 30 beds, including palliative care beds.
The Commonwealth Government will fund the redevelopment, with a timeline for construction and details of the new facility to be finalised later this year.
Member for Lytton Joan Pease said: “It’s fantastic to know this site will be brought back to life after the LNP Newman government closed down services at Wynnum Hospital.
“Transferring the old Wynnum Hospital site to Winnam is a perfect example of how we can repurpose government assets to benefit our community.
“This facility will improve access to health services for our First Nations residents and will create good local jobs.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said: “I know the closure of Wynnum Hospital by the former LNP government was a big loss for Baysiders, which is why the Palaszczuk Government promised to ensure the site continued to benefit the community.
“Let’s not forget, the current Opposition Leader, Opposition Deputy Leader and Opposition Health Spokesperson were all members of Campbell Newman’s cabinet when they decided to shut Wynnum Hospital down.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to giving Baysiders access to the healthcare they need, which is why we opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre.
“We’re now proud to handover the site to Winnam so it can become a new integrated indigenous health and aged care hub to benefit the community for decades to come.”