Qld hospital building blitz revealed with locked-in timelines and hundreds of new beds

Hospital bed shortages are hoped to be addressed through a massive infrastructure rollout spanning 12 major facilities, with the first expansions opening in 2026.

The first stage of the new Bundaberg Hospital will be delivered in 2031, and will include more than 200 beds and bed alternatives, an expanded emergency department and improved maternity services, the state government revealed on Monday.

The first stage of the new Bundaberg Hospital will be delivered in 2031, and will include more than 200 beds and bed alternatives, an expanded emergency department and improved maternity services, the state government revealed on Monday.

In Hervey Bay, construction is progressing on the new helipad and 35-bed expansion, to be completed in 2026, the same statement announced.

A press release issued by Health Minister Tim Nicolls said master plans for major hospital works across the state had been finalised, “and clear timelines now locked in to deliver the extra beds Queenslanders urgently need”.

There was no mention of a new Gympie Hospital masterplan or location, which LNP Gympie MP and now Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett fought for for years before the LNP was elected.

As recently as January 2024, Mr Perrett was asking the health minister for timelines on public consultation in the Gympie Hospital business case, whether a site for a new Gympie Hospital had been located, or whether the government planned to go ahead with step-by-step upgrades for the hospital.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, Parliament Question Time, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Perrett said on Monday “that after a decade of calling for improved health services and a hospital to meet the region’s needs under the former Labor Government, progress is now being made under the Crisafulli Government”.

“For a decade under Labor, the health needs of our growing region were ignored and long-term planning was delayed. Under the Crisafulli Government, the preliminary business case for the Gympie Hospital redevelopment has been completed and will now progress to the next stage of planning,” he said.

“This next stage is critical to the success of the project and will ensure the region gets the hospital it needs. Unlike what we witnessed under the former Labor Government, we won’t rush important planning stages because getting this right now is essential to delivering a hospital that meets the region’s needs for decades to come.”

Mr Nicolls’ announcement on Monday stated:

“Fresh master plans have been finalised for Townsville University Hospital, Toowoomba Hospital, Coomera Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital and Bundaberg Hospital, and key details firmed up for major hospital upgrades at Cairns, Hervey Bay, Princess Alexandra, QEII, Logan and Ipswich Hospitals.

Coomera Hospital: Main construction commencing in the second half of 2026, with 400 beds and expanded acute and specialist services to be delivered in 2031. The remaining 200 beds to follow in 2032, ensuring one of Queensland’s fastest growing communities finally received the services Labor failed to plan for.

Artist's impression of the rooftop helicopter pad being built at the Hervey Bay hospital.

Redcliffe Hospital: Main procurement starting in early 2026 to enable construction of the major hospital expansion, delivering at least 210 new overnight beds, enhanced maternity and endoscopy services and additional operating theatres. The first beds will be delivered from late 2027, with full completion expected in 2032. Work is also beginning on the three-level extension to the multi-storey car park, providing more than 530 new spaces in 2027.

Toowoomba Hospital: The new facility will be delivered on the Baillie Henderson campus, with stage one to be completed in 2029. This includes 538 overnight beds, an 84-bed acute mental health facility, a multi-storey car park and expanded clinical services - restoring certainty to a project Labor repeatedly delayed.

Townsville University Hospital: The expansion will be fast-tracked to deliver stage 1 in 2028, including at least 165 new beds. This includes increasing the size of the new multi-storey car park from around 650 spaces to more than 1,000 giving the region the capacity the former government failed to provide, all while delivering a $90,000 per space cost saving compared to Labor’s inflated prices.

Bundaberg Hospital: The first stage will be delivered in 2031,including more than 200 beds and bed alternatives, an expanded emergency department and improved maternity services. After years of delays under Labor, Bundaberg will finally get the modern hospital it deserves.

Cairns Hospital: A new cyclone-rated helipad will accelerate access to lifesaving care and a contract has been awarded to deliver the $19 million adolescent mental health ward which is expected to be completed in 2027.

Hervey Bay Hospital: Construction is progressing on the new helipad and 35-bed expansion, to be completed in 2026.

Princess Alexandra Hospital: Refurbishment of the Research Wing will deliver ICU administration facilities and dedicated common areas and change rooms in mid-2026, supporting the wider hospital expansion that will deliver 249 beds, expanded cancer care and additional parking in 2028.

Queensland Cancer Plan: A Cancer Centre of Excellence in Brisbane will provide world-leading cancer care and further enhance the state’s position as a research pioneer. Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Wide Bay, Darling Downs, Brisbane and the Gold Coast will now become specialist cancer service hubs supporting regional hospitals in a statewide cancer network, delivering easier access to cancer care across the State.

QEII Hospital: High-voltage infrastructure upgrades are underway which were left unfunded by Labor. These are critical to enabling operation of the expanded hospital which will deliver 112 new beds, a new and expanded ICU, more operating theatres and expanded clinical support services when complete in 2028.

Logan Hospital: The roof is now on the clinical services building and works are progressing to deliver 112 new overnight beds and expanded specialist services when complete in 2027.

Ipswich Hospital: Internal fit-outs on the first two levels are underway, with slab pours on level four to be completed before the end of the year. The 200-bed hospital expansion remains on track for completion in 2028.

Western Queensland: Upgrades to staff accommodation in Longreach, Charleville, Winton and St George are progressing well, to be completed in early 2026. This critical investment will help attract and retain clinical staff in regional and remote areas Labor neglected.

Queensland Health Implementation Lead, Sam Sangster said the department has been working closely with Hospital and Health Services across the State to ensure these major health builds meet the needs of the local communities in which they serve.

Originally published as Qld hospital building blitz revealed with locked-in timelines and hundreds of new beds