Coomera public hospital: First look at $1.3bn health precinct as record funding locked in
The future of the Gold Coast’s giant new $1.3bn Coomera public hospital has been made clearer, with the construction date revealed, as well as what will be inside. SEE THE VIDEO
Northern
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Construction of the Gold Coast’s giant new $1.3bn Coomera public hospital will begin in early 2025 on the back of a record financial investment in the city’s health sector.
The state government will reveal on Thursday it will commit more than $2.4bn towards the Gold Coast’s health and hospital services in June’s budget as its pre-election charm offensive ramps up.
The boost, an increase of $288,767, or 13.5 per cent on the previous year’s commitment will supercharge construction of the hospital, which is set to open in late 2027.
Premier Steven Miles, who will be on the Gold Coast for community cabinet, said the city’s health sector was growing rapidly and needed greater funding.
“We are doing what matters for Queenslanders and that means quality healthcare, close to home,” he said.
“Our hardworking health staff on the Gold Coast looked after nearly 50,000 people in the first quarter of this year.
“My upcoming budget will deliver the biggest investment to Queensland Health services, infrastructure and personnel in the state’s history.
“That means new facilities like the Coomera Hospital, here on the Gold Coast, will be delivered to ensure we can cater for the thousands of new people who want to call this beautiful part of the world home.”
Site clearing for the “state-of-the-art” 404-bed hospital began last year, with early works, including construction of a retaining wall, to continue until Christmas.
The giant hospital tower, which will rise to 13 storeys, will begin in early 2025.
It is being built on a site in the Coomera Town Centre precinct next to the Westfield shopping centre and railway station. Sandip Kumar, Gold Coast Health’s executive director for transformation said the project was on track to open on time in late 2027.
“Along with local residents and businesses who have already expressed positive sentiment about the new Coomera Hospital, Gold Coast Health is excited to see the project continue to progress,” he said.
“It’s important to note the new Coomera Hospital will be a facility that will benefit the whole city, alleviating pressure across Gold Coast Health’s entire network, in particular Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital.
“The 404-bed facility will also bring new services and enhance health care accessibility for the northern corridor, one of Australia’s fastest-growing populations.
“As well as reducing travel times and providing quality health care closer to home, the new Coomera Hospital will improve patient-centred care through new models of care and the latest health technology.”
A virtual flythrough of the new hospital will be released on Wednesday, giving Gold Coaster’s their first look inside the future hospital, which was announced in 2017.
It shows the hospital’s exterior, reception area as well as patient rooms.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said greater hospital services were critical at a time when the city’s population was increasing by 15,000 people annually.
“The Gold Coast is one of the busiest areas in the country for healthcare, which is why we’re increasing Gold Coast HHS’ budget by a massive 13.5 per cent this year,” she said.
“The Miles Government is also building the hospitals today that Queenslanders will need in the future, to ensure Gold Coast locals can continue to receive high quality healthcare closer to home.
“It’s fantastic to see the progress on site and the virtual plans come to life.
“Not only is this project generating more than 3,000 construction jobs but it also provides more local healthcare jobs on the northern Gold Coast.
“This new state-of-the-art hospital will ensure the fast-growing northern corridor will have easy access to healthcare for years to come.”
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