Red Cross Lifeblood facility seeks new home at Domain Central after TUH expansion

Time is ticking for the Red Cross Lifeblood facility to find a new home away from the expanding Townsville University Hospital. See where it could be relocated.

Donor Ian Fricke with assistant nurse Tiffany Woodhouse with a bag of plasma at the Red Cross Lifeblood Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Red Cross Lifeblood Donation Facility at the Townsville University Hospital campus has begun an “urgent” relocation process to make way for a new multistorey clinical building.

Situated in the privately-owned Medilink Building, Lifeblood needs to relocate before works begin in the second half of 2023 on a $543m expansion, delivering 143 extra beds.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said they were working with organisations impacted by these major works as the site was scoped for an eight-level clinical building, including a helipad on the roof.

“We will continue to update the community on these works as more detail becomes available with a successful managing contractor expected to be announced in late April,” Mr Keyes said.

With the assistance of local town-planners Brazier Motti, the Red Cross’s QIC Retail has begun a public consultation process as part of their Townsville City Council development application to relocate into the Domain Central precinct.

Time is running out for the Lifeblood donor centre to relocate before the Townsville University Hospital expanded. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood reveals the floorplan for their proposed donation facility at Domain Central. Picture: TCC.

They sought to convert a 613 sqm retail space, formerly occupied by Rivers, into health care services for the Lifeblood Donation Facility.

Brazier Motti Senior Planner Anne Zareh said it would complement existing health services QLD X-Ray and QLD BreastScreen.

“Red Cross is urgently seeking an alternate location as relocation from the existing facility (at Townsville University Hospital) is necessary,” Ms Zareh said.

“The proposed site at Domain Central offers the anticipated tenancy size, infrastructure and required public transport connection to a strategically located area.”

She said the proposed development should be approved given there would be no adverse impacts to other businesses, and only an internal fit-out required.

Proposed location for the new Red Cross Lifeblood Donation Facility at Domain Central. Picture: TCC.

Proposed location for the new Red Cross Lifeblood Donation Facility at Domain Central. Picture: TCC.

An Australian Red Cross spokeswoman said the relocation of a donor centre normally takes 9-12 months.

“As the need for plasma is growing and Townsville is proudly one of our largest contributors to this vital product, it’s important that Lifeblood relocates while continuing to collect plasma,” she said.

“Building work is expected to commence in May and we may be collecting at the new centre as early as December 2023.”

Townsville City resident Justin Fox backed the development but said he didn’t support the location, preferring it be based in the CBD.

“It is not readily accessible by frequent public transport which is something that is desirable if feeling not confident in your driving ability after giving blood,” Mr Fox said.

Domain Central is serviced by Sunbus route 233 and 205, which link the Northern Beaches, Stockland, and the Townsville CBD.

The public notification period is due to end on March 22.

For further information or to make a submission, visit the council’s website.

Originally published as Red Cross Lifeblood facility seeks new home at Domain Central after TUH expansion