$31.5m Sarina Hospital tender goes to Woollam Constructions
New contractor confident he can build the $31.5 million Sarina Hospital and staff accommodation in time to welcome patients in mid-2023. Read who has been awarded the tender and the jobs it will create.
Mackay
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A major milestone has been reached for the new $31.5 million Sarina Hospital and staff accommodation, with the principal contractor now selected.
Established firm Woollam Constructions, run by Mackay local Craig Percival, has been awarded the tender to build the new hospital on Brewers Rd.
Assistant Minister for Regional Health Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert said the new, purpose-built hospital would ensure healthcare in the region remained strong.
“Not only is the community getting a brand-new hospital, local jobs will be supported throughout construction and beyond,” the Mackay MP said.
“With Woollams on board to lead the construction, this is a real win for the Sarina community.”
Contractors will be on site this month with construction expected to be complete in May 2023 and the first patients welcomed in mid-2023.
Mr Percival is confident his company can complete the project within the allocated timeframe.
“We’ve got a construction period of about 60 weeks and it’s one of those projects where we’re confident of being able to deliver it in that time,” he said.
“It’s nothing simple, but it’s a low-set construction, so we are confident.”
Woollam Constructions has a long history in Mackay building aged care, health, airport and public infrastructure projects for both the government and private sector.
The company has had an office in Mackay for more than 60 years and completed many landmark projects including the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, the Botanic Gardens, the Bluewater Lagoon, Bluewater Quay, Mackay stadium and the Quest and Ibis hotels.
Most recently it was awarded the tender to complete $5.5 million in public realm works on the Pioneer River as part of the Waterfront Priority Development Area plan to connect the river to the city.
Construction on the Riverside Link revitalisation – the second major instalment of PDA works – is expected to start in February or March along both River St and River St Service Rd, and from the carpark at Carlyle St to Burns St.
The Sarina project is expected to create an average of 31 full-time equivalent jobs over three years.
“Woollams is no stranger to working in Sarina, having built Sarina Aged Residential Home, Sarina Council Chambers, Sarina Police Station, Sarina Field of Dreams, Wilmar Sugar and Jilalan Rail Depot,” Mrs Gilbert said.
“From the roofing to the plumbing, to concrete, plastering and glazing – all of this will be sourced locally.”
Woollams is committed to creating local jobs and using local sub-contractors from Mackay, Sarina and the Whitsundays, with more than 20 separate trades on site during the project.
“We see that as a great way of being able to combat things like the weather and resourcing,” Mr Percival said.
“It’s construction, things happen, but I think we’re well positioned to deal with it.”
The new hospital will have 19 beds in total – an increase from 16 beds – and the capacity to care for more people including seven single rooms each with their own ensuite bathroom.
There will be a larger and improved gym space and purpose-built outdoor areas for rehabilitation as well as a dedicated room for day procedures such as blood transfusions.
There will also be increased information communication technology capacity for telehealth consultations.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service board chairman Darryl Camilleri said the planning and design of the new hospital meant it could be easily expanded.
“There will be pathways, landscaped areas and courtyards to provide outdoor space and green areas for family visits and meetings, or for those times when a patient just wants some fresh air,” Mr Camilleri said.
Ms Gilbert said the design was “brilliant” and would accommodate expected future growth.
“What we need is something that is great for now and for a little bit of future growth in the Sarina area,” she said.
“Certainly, as Queensland grows and we have so many people flooding into our great state, they’re going to want to come out to the regions, so we’ll need to start catering for the influx of people.”
There will also be a dedicated area to support patients in carrying out activities of daily living in a home-like environment.
All current healthcare services provided at the Sarina Hospital will remain and continue to be provided at the new hospital.
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