State Government under pressure on Coomera hospital build as health leads economic boom
Mayor Tom Tate has urged the state government not to delay building the Coomera Hospital after a new report revealed the critical importance of the health sector to the Gold Coast’s economy. READ HIS FULL COMMENTS
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Mayor Tom Tate has urged the state government not to delay building the Coomera Hospital after a new report revealed the critical importance of the health and medical industry to the Gold Coast’s economy.
The ‘State of the City’ report, produced for council by consultants Deloitte and released at a business breakfast at the Langham Gold Coast on Tuesday, showed health had an economic value of $4.5 billion.
That made it the number two economic sector in the city behind construction, which contributes $5 billion.
In a surprise development, guests were told tourism had dropped to sixth place despite the city welcoming 13 million visitors each year.
The report said “proven government support” in the health sector was a key factor in the city being the fastest-growing in Australia.
“The robust and sustained growth of the health and wellbeing sector is no accident,” the report said.
“It is the result of a dedicated strategic investment effort driven by the local and state governments. Over the last decade, upwards of $6 billion has been invested to enhance the health and medical presence on the Gold Coast.”
A 404-bed hospital at Coomera, started by the former Labor Government, was originally costed at $1.3 billion with the build due to be finished in September 2027.
However an independent report commissioned by the new LNP Government found costs had blown out to $2.2 billion, with the earliest possible completion date to be in March 2028.
The Crisafulli Government says it is undertaking a “swift review” of the project after the report also found the planned hospital would be too small for the city’s needs.
An update on the status of build will be provided in next month’s State Budget papers.
Mayor Tate cautioned against long delays.
“I think it’s prudent for any new government to do a review. I just have to be fair about that,” he said.
“But from a Gold Coasters’ point of view, looking at the population, it’s clear to me that project should proceed and be budgeted for.
“Go ahead and do the review. But don’t start from scratch. There are previous reviews already done. Take that out to see if it is still up to date – or update it. You can say it ticks most of the boxes, enhance it where you think it is appropriate and then go ahead with it.
“I don’t take the notion that a government before got it all wrong and they have to review from scratch. That’s wrong to think that way. That’s a tactic of delay.”
He said medical research at the Health and Knowledge precinct was providing huge benefits, including solving diseases and providing vaccines.
“That’s the one part we shouldn’t skimp in health. You can cut back in other things, health and knowledge is the growth, it makes sense,” he said.
In their presentation to more than 200 guests Deloitte outlined how 48 per cent of new arrivals on the Gold Coast were highly skilled young employees.
The company announced it was backing its research by setting up its first fully-staffed regional office at Bundall in the coming weeks.
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