‘Get on with it’: MP unhappy about delays

Construction will soon begin on the long-awaited renal dialysis unit at the Charters Towers Hospital, though questions have been asked about why it is taking so long.

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Construction will soon begin on the long-awaited renal dialysis unit at the Charters Towers Hospital, though questions have been asked about why it is taking so long.

Traeger MP and KAP leader Robbie Katter said between when the State Government announced it would establish a satellite renal dialysis service in Charters Towers and now there had been multiple media releases and announcements, but still the community was waiting.

“It’s several times they have announced this. They announced it before the election and here we are 12-18 months later and we still haven’t got it,” Mr Katter said.

“It’s unfair on people like Tracy Murphy who spearheaded the initiative and who keep getting whacked by the delays.”

Traeger MP Robbie Katter outside Charters Towers Hospital

This week Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D’Ath announced Hutchinson Builders would begin construction this month on two satellite renal dialysis units – one in Charters Towers and the other in Ingham.

Ms D’Ath said the new, four-chair units would relieve the pressure of disruptive travel on patients living with renal failure and kidney disease and their families.

‘‘Patients in Charters Towers and Ingham currently travel up to an hour and a half for a four to five-hour treatment session at Townsville University Hospital,” she said.

‘‘Today’s announcement strengthens our commitment to Closing the Gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who make up a disproportionately large number of patients who require haemodialysis.”

But Mr Katter said everyone involved in the Charters Towers Dialysis Support and Lobby Group had hoped there would be chairs operating by now.

He said they were sick of hearing statement after statement, with little action on the ground.

“Originally we were told they would be operating by August this year and then it was February next year and now there’s talks about delays again,” Mr Katter said.

“I appreciate there’s some unavoidable delays, but I can’t help but think that if this was being built in Brisbane it would be done by now.”

Charters Towers Hospital

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said renal failure was a complex chronic disease to treat and the level of care required was determined by the damage to the kidneys.

“Some patients may require care that can only be delivered at a tertiary-level facility like Townsville University Hospital but for others, their care will be provided locally,” he said.

Mr Keyes said the units would be completed and operational in the first half of 2022.

‘‘Being able to access renal dialysis locally is an important milestone for Ingham and Charters Towers,’’ Mr Keyes said.

‘‘As with any service, it’s about more than just bricks and mortar, so recruitment is underway for specialist renal nurses at both health services to ensure the care delivered is safe.’’

In September this year it was revealed that recruiting has begun for clinical nurses for the service.

North Queensland town sets sights on 90 per cent vax rate

Flinders Shire Council has launched a new campaign to help the region be one of the first in the state to reach the coveted 90 per cent Covid-19 vaccination rate.

The Get the jab in Flinders campaign starts ties in with the Queensland Health Pfizer vaccination clinic visits in Hughenden on November 4-5.

The shire already has one of the highest vaccination rates in the State (77 per cent), with 822 of its 1072 residents already fully vaccinated.

Now the council has created a new campaign to help hit the 90 per cent mark as quickly as possible.

Any resident who has had at least one Covid-19 vaccination is able to enter into the draw to win a prize of either a Family Pool Pass for one year to the Hughenden Pool, or an individual annual pass to the Hughenden community gym.

Flinders Shire Council CEO Hari Boppudi gets the Covid-19 vaccine from Hughenden Multipurpose Health Service director of nursing Karen Petrie.

Flinders Shire Council Mayor Jane McNamara is encouraging any Flinders Shire resident aged 12 years and older yet to be vaccinated to head to Diggers Entertainment Centre in Hughenden this week between 1.30pm–5pm on Thursday, November 4, and 8am–1.30pm on Friday, November 5.

“Our residents have already done an amazing job to be one of the highest vaccinated local government areas in the whole of Queensland, and I thank them with all my heart,” Cr McNamara said.

“Now is the time for us to all come together and make a final push to hit the 90 per cent vaccination rate, and ensure that we’re one of the safest places to visit in the State.

“I urge all non-vaccinated residents to head down to Diggers Entertainment centre this week and get their Covid jab. Walk-ins are very much welcome.

“This is an ongoing pandemic which has had a hugely negative effect on so many lives, and it’s time for us to join together as a community and get jabbed for the benefit of those who are most vulnerable.”

Cr McNamara added that Hughenden Doctors Surgery also continues to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine for all eligible people who are unable to attend the Queensland Health clinics this week.

To enter the draw to win a prize, you must:

• be a resident of Flinders Shire Council

• have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination by December 3, 2021.

The prize winner will be drawn at random on December 3, and presented at the Community Christmas Party.

Eligible residents are encouraged to fill in and submit an entry form at one of the designated boxes provided at the COVID Vaccine Clinics at the Diggers Entertainment Centre (DEC), Flinders Public Library, or Flinders Shire Council Office before 12pm on December 3, 2021.

Flinders Shire Council launches tourism campaign for Hughenden

It’s a small town with a huge heart and big plans, and now its mayor is calling on people to discover the possibilities in this North Queensland town for themselves.

The new campaign by the Flinders Shire Council — Hughenden: Outback Town, Endless Horizons — was officially unveiled at a special event at Diggers Entertainment Centre.

Flinders Shire Council Mayor McNamara said the campaign focused on the myriad of opportunities within Hughenden, which sits at the junction of the Kennedy Development Rd and Flinders Highway, and where Townsville’s coast meets the rugged outback.

“With interstate travel set to resume again, and the increase in people looking for a tree change, this is a campaign we know will resonate strongly across all our key markets,” she said.

Flinders Shire Council has launched a new tourism campaign – Hughenden: Outback Town, Endless Horizons.

“It focuses on our brand pillars of lifestyle and migration, investment, and tourism.

“We’re a small town but with a huge heart and big plans, and we know visitors are drawn to the northwest pocket of Queensland to discover Hughenden’s hidden treasures and endless possibilities for themselves.

“There’s so much to do here, whether people are looking for a new place to call home, lay down business roots, or stay the night on their next outback adventure.”

Aside from the region’s natural attractions, the $12 million Hughenden Recreational Lake takes centre stage as a place for visitors and locals to unwind and explore.

Solar panels at Windlab's Kennedy Energy Park near Hughenden.

The wave of new developments in the works include a $200 million wind farm project, the Kennedy Energy Park, and the Hughenden Horticulture Expansion Project, including the development of Riverside, and the implementation of the Flinders Shire Water Strategy.

“Our story might have been 100 million years in the making, but we’re also future-focused with eyes planted firmly on the horizon,” Cr McNamara said.

“It’s why we see Hughenden as an outback town, with endless horizons.”

Porcupine Gorge in Porcupine Gorge National Park near Hughenden Queensland, Australia.

The town of Hughenden might be the main business district of the Flinders Shire but across the whole region, natural attractions including Porcupine Gorge National Park, White Mountains National Park and Mount Walker are ready to be discovered along with the region’s prehistoric history.

In between its 41,632km2 are the surrounding towns of Prairie, Stamford and Torrens Creek.

More details are available on the Visit Hughenden Facebook page, with a new website also being launched in November ahead of the 2022 tourist season.

Originally published as ‘Get on with it’: MP unhappy about delays