LNP scraps $1.2billion Bundaberg hospital plan and promises 410-bed mega build

The state government has unveiled its own plan for a new Bundaberg Hospital after slamming Labor’s proposal as “undeliverable” and “riddled with costly flaws”.

The LNP has unveiled its own plan for a new Bundaberg Hospital after slamming Labor’s $1.2 billion proposal as “undeliverable” and riddled with costly flaws.

The LNP has unveiled its own plan for a new Bundaberg Hospital after slamming Labor’s $1.2 billion proposal as “undeliverable” and riddled with costly flaws.
A new 410-bed hospital will be built in Bundaberg under the LNP state government’s $33.1 billion Health Budget, with the project included in a statewide Hospital Rescue Plan to deliver more than 2600 hospital beds, an LNP statement said on Thursday.

The LNP’s plan replaces Labor’s $1.2 billion proposal, which was due for completion in 2027 but has been criticised by the new government for so-called design flaws, rising costs and delivery delays.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said the new facility would deliver “more free healthcare than ever before”.

“The Hospital Rescue Plan sets out a clear path forward to build three brand new hospitals in Coomera, Toowoomba and Bundaberg,” Mr Nicholls said.

“Not only are we delivering the Bundaberg Hospital, but we are delivering it before Labor ever would have and we’re delivering a hospital that will meet the needs of the region as it continues to grow.”

Premier David Crisafulli said the new approach would save hundreds of millions of dollars a year by moving services away from flood-prone and inefficient sites.

“In Bundaberg and Toowoomba, we listened to clinicians and we will save around $600 million per year by relocating all services and existing beds to the new hospitals,” Mr Crisafulli said.

LNP have come up with their own plan for the new Bundaberg Hospital after calling the last proposal, ‘undeliverable.’

Under Labor, the new Bundaberg Hospital was to feature more than 320 overnight beds, a rooftop helipad, expanded emergency and outpatient departments, extra operating theatres and teaching and research space.

It was to be built at 274 Eggmolesse Street and deliver 121 more overnight beds than the existing hospital.

While the LNP has not confirmed whether it will keep that site or replicate all features — such as the education precinct — it has promised a facility with “more than 410 beds and bed alternatives”.

LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett welcomed the announcement, saying it would help attract and retain skilled staff in the Wide Bay.

“This is an exciting time for Bundaberg and I look forward to seeing the work progress on the new hospital,” he said.

Original renders of the new Bundaberg Hospital and what it would have looked like when it is finished in 2027.

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith said residents still needed answers about what would be delivered — and when.

In December last year he asked a question on notice to the health minister.
“I asked the minister to advise on expenditure to date of the $1.2 billion costed hospital, the updated project budget and the completion date.”

Labor’s original plan had targeted completion by the second half of 2027.
The LNP has not confirmed whether that timeline still stands.