CPB Contractors awarded tender for $1.2bn Bundaberg Hospital
The development of a new Bundaberg Hospital has reached a major milestone while the state health minister concedes more needs to be done to improve the region’s health system.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Construction will officially begin on the new $1.2bn Bundaberg Hospital as the state’s health minister has agreed more needs to be done to improve healthcare in the region.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined the new Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Bundaberg MP Tom Smith on Thursday, July 7, to announce CPB Contractors had been awarded the major tender.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman accused by LNP of data secrecy
“You will see early works happening here, construction underway at the beginning of next year,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The hospital is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027 and will support 2880 jobs.
It will deliver more than 121 new beds across a range of improved and expanded services such as intensive care, coronary, medical, surgical, paediatric, rehabilitation and mental health units.
Ms Palaszczuk said despite recent pressures on the construction industry the build would progress as planned.
She also hit back at Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett who had called for the hospital build to be fast-tracked.
“He hasn’t even been supportive of this hospital,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Ms Fentiman was asked how she would improve the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service’s track record.
She said recent pressures from population growth and the pandemic had impacted the performance of the service.
“We know we have more to do but there are some promising signs here in the Wide Bay,” she said.
“I take my hat off to the staff here because they do an incredible job in looking after Queenslanders when they need it most.”
Ms Fentiman was also asked about Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service’s $36m deficit reported in the 2022-23 budget papers.
She said staff shortages had affected the service.
“Health workers are in demand, and for the Wide Bay that means more locums which costs more,” she said.
“So we know there are some budgetary pressures.”
The new hospital is being built on land adjacent to the Bundaberg Ring Road and west of Kay McDuff Dr, about five kilometres south of the CBD.
Flood chaos looms as towns brace for more heavy rain
Sandbag stations are open, roads are closed, and supermarket shelves are bare as the region prepares for more severe weather
$2 billion beach town mega development back in the spotlight
A decade-old plan for a 3000-home community near Bundaberg is back on the cards with public meetings set to be held. VOTE IN OUR POLL.