Construction begins at the new Bundaberg hospital
The long-awaited first sod has been turned on the $1.2b Bundaberg Hospital with more than 2800 jobs promised over the course of the project.
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Construction has started on the new Bundaberg Hospital, marking a milestone for the $1.2b project.
The facility will feature an additional 121 beds, expanded emergency and operating spaces and enhanced outpatient services.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles, joined by other ministers, turned the sod on Wednesday to mark the beginning of construction, with a finish date expected to be late 2027.
“Our investment is delivering more hospital beds for Queenslanders, and today we lay the first building block of a broader health and education precinct,” Mr Miles said.
“This project, funded by making multinational coal mining companies pay their fair share, will generate good jobs and enhance healthcare for generations to come.”
Bundaberg MP Tom Smith echoed Mr Miles and highlighted the project’s benefits of increased healthcare capacity and job creation.
“The new hospital will dramatically increase bed capacity and enable further expansion of services,” Mr Smith said.
The CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors project aims to create more than 2800 jobs and finish by late 2027.
It includes a master plan for a health and education precinct by the Economic Development Queensland to boost the local economy and support population growth.
Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace said the project was about maximising social and economic opportunities including housing for frontline workers.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman underscored the importance of the project for the region’s future.
“With the Wide Bay population projected to grow significantly, this new hospital ensures our community can access world-class healthcare close to home,” Ms Feniman said.
The initiative is part of the $14 billion Health Big Build, aimed at providing more than 3300 additional hospital beds across Queensland.
While the project has received widespread support, it has also faced criticism from opposition figures.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Jarrod Bleijie and LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett expressed scepticism about the project’s timeline and scope.
“Where has Tom Smith been?” Mr Bleijie said.
Mr Bennett added, “More fencing has gone up (around the site), more attempts to make it look like a construction site, but it’s still a road, it’s still a vacant paddock full of trees, and it still has contamination issues.”
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