Wesley Hospital in Auchenflower lodges plans for two 10-level medical, accommodation towers

A top Brisbane private hospital has applied to build a highrise medical suite and 10-level unit tower for families of patients.

Artist's impression of the pedestrian bridge over Chasely St.

UnitingCare has applied to the State Government to build a highrise medical suite linked by a pedestrian bridge to the Wesley Hospital in Auchenflower in one of the biggest ever expansions of the hospital.

Forty-year-old Wesley Rotary Lodge, where carers and families of regional patients presently stayed, would be demolished for a new 10-level accommodation tower fronting Lima St.

The medical building would include allied health services, a cafe/restaurant, florist, GP spaces, inpatient units, medical imaging, radiology, pharmacy, specialist health services and day surgeries, with 255 carparks on three basement levels exiting on to Chasely St.

They would be open from 6am to 8pm for those on the ground floor and 24 hours a day for services on upper floors.

“The new accommodation will take the pressure off (nearby) units and houses that are better used to house long-term residents,’’ town planners Gaskell Planning Consultants said in the application.

“The proposed accommodation replaces Wesley Rotary Lodge to ensure family and carers from the regions have close and comfortable accommodation to the Wesley Hospital.’’

Artist's impression of the pedestrian bridge over Chasely St.

The 3427 sqm site, opposite the main entry to the hospital, was the only nearby land available for expansion. Part of it was privately owned, but was under contract to the Uniting Church.

The rest of Chasely St was taken up with units.

“This is the only location available to expand critical health care which can directly link to the Wesley Hospital, via a pedestrian bridge,’’ Gaskell said.

“The expansion of health care services will provide an overall increase in the capacity of the Wesley Hospital health precinct, which is critical to meet the ongoing and high levels of demand for tertiary health services in Queensland.’’

The area was zoned for buildings up to 15 levels. It was a short walk from Auchenflower train station and buses using Coronation Drive, as well as a CityCat ferry terminal.

Render of the foyer and front facade, said to reflect nearby Oasis apartments.

“A provision for a future pedestrian bridge is provided across Chasely St to link the Wesley Hospital with the proposed medical centre,’’ Gaskell said.

“The bridge will provide approximately 5.3m of clearance to Chasely St, with an option to increase if additional height is required.

“The bridge which will provide safe and accessible pedestrian connectivity between the Wesley Hospital and the proposed medical centre.’’

Aerial view of the Wesley Hospital and surrounds.

A UnitingCare spokeswoman said converted flats on Lima St would be replaced, as well as Wesley Rotary Lodge.

“Both facilities currently provide convenient and affordable accommodation for families and carers of regional patients and are consistently booked, but are not meeting current needs,” she said.

The new accommodation building would include studio, one-bed and two-bedroom apartments.

She said an expansion of medical services to meet a growing population was overdue.

“Patients and their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do and this is part of our commitment to ensuring our services meet contemporary needs,” she said.

UnitingCare met with community stakeholders late last year and amended its proposal in response to feedback received.

A second round of community consultation was under way and would be used to help finalise the design.

Work was not expected to start for at least 12 months.

The two buildings would be 17m apart and connected with a four-level podium, via the bridge, containing operating theatres and health care services.

Both would be extensively landscaped, with facades compatible with the nearby Oasis apartments, and a new footpath would be built.

UnitingCare applied to build the project under the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation scheme, which bypassed Council planning laws and limited legal appeals by the public.

Public consulations end on November 25.

Submissions here or email [e-mail] or call 1300 967 433.