Weststate Private Hospital construction begins new chapter for heritage-listed building

Construction on Townsville’s newest hospital kicks off this week, beginning a new chapter for an iconic heritage-listed building.

CONSTRUCTION on the $60m Weststate Private Hospital will officially start on Monday, and will begin a new chapter for the former Townsville West State School building.

Seven years in the making, the breaking of ground will mark a significant milestone for development partners Centuria Healthcare and Geon Property and hospital operator Weststate.

After months spent preparing the site, construction is about to begin for the $60.5 million Weststate Private Hospital in West End. Picture: Leighton Smith

The site amalgamates six land parcels into a single two-acre site, providing a five-storey purpose-built property, complete with four operating theatres, one procedure room, 19 day beds and 22 overnight beds.

According to Weststate, the short-stay hospital will focus on industry-leading patient care, and lower out of pocket expenses for patients and address the needs of a growing ageing population.

The former Townsville West school building will be incorporated into the construction of the Weststate Private Hospital. Picture: Leighton Smith

Procedures will predominantly focus on orthopaedics, such as joint replacements, as well as subspecialties across urology, ophthalmology, endoscopy, general surgery, gynaecology, oral, ear-nose-throat, neurosurgery, hepatobiliary, vascular and bariatric treatments.

Part of the development will breathe new life into the heritage-listed school building that was also used as a military encampment and convalescent ward during World War II.

The heritage-listed Townsville West State School building was constructed between 1921 and 1939. Picture: Leighton Smith

It will be transformed into specialist consulting suites and will include a new footbridge link to the new short-stay hospital.

Construction of the Weststate Private Hospital will take 16 months with completion expected in mid-2023.

Construction officially begins on Monday for the $60.5 million Weststate Private Hospital in West End. Picture: Leighton Smith

A render of the Weststate Private Hospital

Artist impressions for the Griffin Group development Weststate Private Hospital proposed for the corner of Ingham Rd and Sturt St.

Artist impressions for the Griffin Group development Weststate Private Hospital proposed for the corner of Ingham Rd and Sturt St.

Townsville’s Chinooks help devastated Tonga

CHINOOKS from the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment are supporting the people of Tonga following the eruption of the underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami on January 15.

The Australian Defence Force is supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-led humanitarian effort called Operation Tonga Assist 22.

Damage to Atata Island in Tonga, following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami. Photo: Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski

An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter at sunset onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Picture: LSIS David Cox

Launching from HMAS Adelaide, three CH-47F Chinook helicopters carried out reconnaissance flights over Atata Island.

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Joshua Ellems said the team conducted an initial damage assessment and identified opportunities for recovery tasks.

Royal Australian Navy sailors from HMAS Adelaide's flight deck team prepare an Australian Arm CH-47F Chinook helicopter for take off during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Picture: CPL Robert Whitmore

He said Atata there was large amounts of debris and significant damage to infrastructure.

After the engineering team’s initial assessment, they planned to bring back a larger engineer force to conduct recovery efforts.

An Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter heavy lift helicopter conducts a reconnaissance flight over Atata Island, Tonga, during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Picture: LSIS David Cox

Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide conducts landing craft training while the ship sits at anchor off the coast of Nuku'alofa in Tonga as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022.Picture: POIS Christopher Szumlanski

An Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter prepares to take off from the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide during Operation Tonga Assist 2022. Picture: CPL Robert Whitmore

Originally published as Weststate Private Hospital construction begins new chapter for heritage-listed building