Townsville University Hospital expansion: ‘We have to keep up’

Basking in sunshine and a Maroons scarf, the Premier says it’s no wonder people keep moving to North Queensland, as politicians tour the soon-to-be-expanded Townsville University Hospital. See more.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at Townsville University Hospital with Rebecca Debona and Roman, 12. Picture: Evan Morgan.

The growing North Queensland population has been the impetus for a 143 bed extension at Townsville University Hospital, the Premier says.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and fellow Labor MPs posed with sick children and spoke to health workers at the hospital on Thursday.

BESIX Watpac, the company which led the build of Queensland Country Bank Stadium, were announced as tender winners earlier on Thursday for the $530m project.

The sod should be turned this year and the building is expected to be completed in 2026.

“Look here in the tropics, this is winter, in paradise. So you can’t stop people moving here. It’s putting pressures on our health system. It’s putting pressures on housing,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

A render of what the new expansion of the Townsville University Hospital may look like.

The expansion project was first announced as part of the 2020 state election. A new 33-bed ward at the hospital opened in May.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said where the current helipad was at the hospital, that would become the new expansion facility.

“We know there’s lots of people moving here, we know we have to keep up with that,” she said.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman speaking in Townsville on Thursday. Picture: Evan Morgan.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the extension was the largest building program at the hospital since it opened in 2001.

“And this is an expectation from our community and a need that they’ve been asking for,” he said.

The helipad would be on top of the new facility, and Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the build meant 1200 jobs.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said construction would not interrupt the hospital.

“So while we can expect some increased foot traffic, we’ll continue to maintain full service delivery throughout,” Mr Keyes said.

A preliminary contractor will be sought later this month to inform a business case for a new hospital to replace the 140-year-old Charters Towers Hospital, he said.

Originally published as Townsville University Hospital expansion: ‘We have to keep up’