Tenders have opened for the construction of the new Moranbah Hospital, which will deliver better health services in the heart of Queensland’s resources community.
At the future site of the new Moranbah Hospital, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk Government was seeking a construction partner to commence work in the first half of 2023.
“The New Moranbah Hospital will be the bricks and mortar proof of our Government’s commitment to supporting Queensland resources communities,” the Treasurer said.
“The towns of the Bowen Basin deliver for the entire Queensland community through the royalties their mines generate.
“It is only right that those royalties are reinvested in our resources communities.
“The budget I delivered in June this year set out our commitment to build a new Moranbah Hospital as part of our seven-year $943.5 million Building Rural and Remote Health Program.
“With tenders now open, we will start seeing tangible proof of evidence of delivering of better health services for the Moranbah community.
“The new Moranbah Hospital will increase the number of emergency department treatment spaces currently available and provide enhanced outpatient, allied health, community health, and community mental health spaces.
“The Moranbah community will benefit from improved medical imaging services including a CT scanner as well as a helipad to reduce reliance on ambulance services and make inter-hospital transfers more efficient.
“By integrating all services within a single building, we’ll also bolster amenities and security for staff and patients through improved patient flow, an airlock entrance, and replicating the existing hospital’s rose garden and family room.”
Subject to tender negotiations, the new Moranbah Hospital will support 102 construction jobs and is scheduled for completion by June 2025.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the Queensland Government’s tender announcement was a positive commitment to health across the Isaac.
“Council, along with community, have worked hard to advocate for improved access to health services, so we are thrilled with today’s announcement,” Mayor Baker said.
“The Moranbah Hospital upgrade will enable the facility to cater for the region well into the future and acting as a regional hub for neighbouring towns.
“The redevelopment will support residents, workers and the heavy industries that operate across the Isaac region with a fit for purpose facility.
“This is going to mean a significant improvement to the emergency department, dedicated mental health care and more specialist services available.”
The Treasurer said progress was also being made on other health infrastructure projects in the Bowen Basin.
“A tender process is currently underway for upgrades to the Blackwater Multipurpose Health Service, which will support 68 construction jobs.
“Work is also continuing at pace on the redevelopment of the Emerald Hospital’s emergency department and day surgery, supporting 29 construction jobs.
“It is so important that the health needs of all Queenslanders are met no matter where they live, which is why we’re making these investments into the Bowen Basin.
“In the June Budget, I also locked in the funding for our between the Queensland Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“The funding provides the certainty of better access to medical care for regional Queensland and will strengthen the RFDS network of aeromedical bases across the state.”
The Moranbah Hospital tender is live on and closes on 9 December 2022.
