Cairns Hospital Expansion Project commences construction

A vital $250m project to expand Cairns Hospital’s facilities will soon begin construction. What we know.

A $250 million project to expand Cairns hospital facilities will soon begin construction, with completion expected by late 2026. Picture: Brendan Radke

A $250m project to expand Cairns Hospital facilities will soon begin construction.

Detailed design work for the Cairns Hospital Expansion Project has been finalised, with stage two construction work expected to begin this month.

The hospital expansion will include a 64-bed refurbishment, dedicated day surgery spaces, four modern operating theatres, 32 additional short stay beds and outpatient consulting rooms.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said the expansion was vital to help meet the needs of a growing population.

“The Cairns Hospital Expansion Project is a vital component of expanding hospital capacity and capability to serve the acute health needs of our community into the future,” Ms Singh said.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chief executive Leena Singh speaks with Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman at the Cairns Hospital. Picture: Brendan Radke

“To help meet population growth and the high number of visitors to this region, this

expansion project joins a number of other major projects designed to improve our capacity and the patient experience.”

Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said she was confident the project would create a lasting positive impact for the region.

“Our $250m investment into the Cairns Hospital Expansion Project will not only deliver advanced medical services but also significantly expand capacity,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I am confident this project will have a lasting positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Far North Queensland residents for years to come.”

A $250m project to expand Cairns hospital facilities will soon begin construction, with completion expected by late 2026. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Cairns Hospital Expansion Project is part of the state government’s record $474.8m investment in bolstering Cairns’ health infrastructure, which includes revamping the

Cairns Hospital emergency department and the Atherton Hospital redevelopment.

In the 2024−25 Budget, the state government announced a $1bn boost to the capacity

expansion program for the Patient Flow Expansion Program, which will further support the project.

Local Cairns builders from Stage 1, Hansen Yuncken, will stay on to deliver the 64-

bed refurbishment, with construction expected to reach completion in mid-to-late 2026.

Originally published as Cairns Hospital Expansion Project commences construction