141 new beds slated for Cairns Hospital in state budget

A top medical professional has provided his long-term hopes for the region’s healthcare needs, after the midterm state budget announced new beds for Cairns Hospital.

UPDATE: A BLOCKBUSTER state budget for the Far North has delivered $107.5m towards boosting Cairns’ inadequate water supply.

The Palaszczuk government has also stuck its toe in the water of the critical JCU University Hospital project by committing $11m for a land buy and $4.5m for a detailed business case in Tuesday’s budget.

But a commitment of up to $160m for a Queensland Health medical facility next to JCU’s Health and Innovation Precinct at the site will likely be required.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – June 21, 2022. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a press conference ahead of handing down the 2022-23 state budget. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

In a move that triggered an irate response from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the time, JCU went ahead and used federal funding to buy 12,331sq m of property bounded by Sheridan, Digger and Charles streets in Cairns North for the precinct, in a deal believed to be worth $25m.

The government’s $1.5m business case was completed last October but has not been made public.

But the government has committed to an extra 141 beds at the 666-bed Cairns Hospital by 2026.

Dr Sandy Donald, senior vice president of the Together Union, said the extra beds were desperately needed.

“Hopefully the plan will include an option to increase the number of beds further within a few years,” Dr Donald said.

“Leasing 45 extra subacute beds should at least mean those beds are available within a year, and should allow discharge of some patients from acute hospital beds to a more appropriate care location,” he said.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning cheered as the budget delivered $107.5m for the water security project – providing council presents a business case for it.

EARLIER, 21 JUNE: THE state government has delivered on $107.5m for Cairns Regional Council’s water security project – providing council presents a business case for it.

The funding – which matches previously committed federal government funds – means council can start on stage 1 of the project by 2024.

Mayor Bob Manning has been vociferous in his insistence the region would run out of drinking water by 2027 with population exceeding the capacity of Copperlode Dam.

Council engaged external consultants to complete a business case in March and the project will ultimately cost $248m.

This means ratepayers will still have to stump up for the $33m shortfall.

Water from the Mulgrave River will be sourced under the Cairns Regional Council water security project.

The study found increases in costs if government funding was not forthcoming would translate to an average of $226 extra per year for each water user over 30 years – or about $6,800 in total per user.

State MP for Cairns Michael Healy said it was a vitally important project.

“The money’s been allocated, we are just waiting for council to provide us with a business case, which we’ve been asking for,” Mr Healy said.

“We’ve made it very clear the funding is subject to a business case.”

Cr Manning has been contacted for comment.

Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf said the government had ticked the boxes for health and water security and confirmed its commitment of $150m for the marine precinct.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with the 2022-23 budget. Picture: supplied.

“Health was really the centrepiece of the budget and from Cairns’ point of view there were significant announcements with 141 new beds at Cairns Hospital to come,” Mr Trompf said.

“There will be 45 new beds in a new subacute facility in an existing leased building, and by 2026, a further 96 beds with a new surgical unit, and we’re assuming that will be built adjacent to the hospital.”

“There is $11m for the state government to buy land from JCU for its component of the Health and Innovation Precinct site, and there is $4.5m for a detailed business case for that land,” he said.

Originally published as 141 new beds slated for Cairns Hospital in state budget