Townsville Enterprise wanting $578 million for North Queensland health system

Regional mums in Charters Towers, like Hannah Eddy, are pleading for a new hospital as the exhausting and costly trips to Townsville for births pile on the stress during their pregnancies.

Hannah Eddy, a mother of five from Charters Towers

For many mothers-to-be in regional areas, the distance to birthing facilities can add a heavy burden during pregnancy.

Charters Towers mum Hannah Eddy, a mother of five, knows the struggle well, as her family faced travel, accommodation, and childcare issues with every birth.

“I birthed all of my children in the Townsville University Hospital, but my antenatal care was here in Charters Towers,” she said.

“The midwives here want us to relocate to Townsville before the 38 week mark of pregnancy.

“The implications of that are difficult — my husband has to leave work, we have to arrange care for out other children, we have to find accommodation, pay for meals away from home and the travel costs as well.”

Deputy Mayor Kate Hastie

With families facing these hurdles, Charters Towers Deputy Mayor Kate Hastie has been leading calls for a new hospital in the region to save locals from making long trips.

“Our current facilities are outdated and unable to meet modern standards — our community deserves better,” she said.

“People in the Charters Towers region and other western communities are frequently forced to make long trips for lifesaving treatments.

“This not only places extra pressure on Townsville hospital but also makes it harder to attract workers, retain families in the area and secure future investments.”

As part of Townsville Enterprise’s Unlock the North state election priorities document, the group are pushing ahead of the state election for both major parties to commit to more than $578 million for 11 key projects.

These include $300 million for both a new hospital and $130 million for a residential aged-care facility in Charters Towers, as well as $30 million for an integrated health centre on Magnetic Island and $21 million in upgrades for Ayr Hospital. 

Townsville Enterprise CEO, Ms Claudia Brumme-Smith, at the official opening of the CopperString Experience Centre. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said the investments were working towards maintaining and building on North Queensland’s healthcare future.

“Healthcare is not just a service; it’s a lifeline,” she said.

“It plays a crucial role in deciding where people settle, raise their families and build their lives.”

She said with Townsville Hospital and Health Service planning growth to meet the rising demand, the 11 key projects outlined are ‘clear and necessary’.

“The health outcomes in rural areas lag far behind metropolitan regions. This puts immense strain on Townsville Hospital, which is tasked with delivering critical healthcare to a vast population stretching across Northern Australia.”

Originally published as Townsville Enterprise wanting $578 million for North Queensland health system