Landmark heath expansion project to deliver 96 extra beds
A state-of-the-art surgical centre has taken a giant leap forward with the awarding of a $250m contract to deliver detailed designs for the landmark health expansion project.
Cairns
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A state-of-the-art surgical centre has taken a giant leap forward with the awarding of contract to deliver detailed designs for the $250m landmark health expansion project.
The Cairns Hospital Expansion will deliver an extra 96 beds for the Cairns and hinterland region, made up of 64 beds at Cairns Hospital, and 32 additional beds at a new, state-of-the-art surgical centre.
The new surgical centre will be adjacent to James Cook University’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre which will form part of the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct.
The $250m Cairns Hospital expansion will create more than 610 jobs during the construction phase, according to the state government.
Queensland Health finalised the acquisition of the 3230 sqm land parcel bordered by Sheridan, Grove, Charles and Digger streets in 2022 from JCU after the institution swooped in to buy the land in 2021 with financial backing of the former federal government.
A series of homes, a unit block and the infamous statue of Captain Cook have been removed from the site in preparation for a construction kick off.
Melbourne-headquartered Hansen Yuncken, who have operated in the Far North since 2008 have been awarded the tender, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“Hansen Yuncken will partner across Queensland’s health system to bring together an innovative and modern design based on the principles of people (including our First Nations communities), place, value and technology,” she said.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has been working on Health Innovation project. Understood to be a major component of the Cairns University Hospital a business case is expected by the end of the year.
The new surgical centre will be constructed at the corner of Charles and Digger streets, Cairns North next to JCU’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre to allow for stronger linkages for teaching, learning and research.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the expansion project will bring state-of-the-art health services to Cairns, and significantly bolster capacity in the region.
“There is currently around $350m worth of hospital expansions and upgrades in Cairns,” she said.
“Our Government is committed to delivering more beds, more services and more frontline health workers for Far North Queensland.”
Included in the $350m is the currently underway $70m Cairns Hospital mental health unit, $26.5m Cairns Hospital Emergency Department expansion and the $86.4m Atherton Hospital redevelopment.
Hansen Yuncken must deliver a value for money guaranteed construction price for the project before commencing the main works construction phase.
The Cairns Hospital Expansion project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
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Originally published as Landmark heath expansion project to deliver 96 extra beds
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