Symbolic sod turn signals the start of early construction works
- Construction is officially underway on the new Bundaberg Hospital site.
- The project will deliver a bigger and better hospital with an extra 121 beds, more emergency department treatment spaces and theatres.
- The Bundaberg Big Hospital Build will support 2,887 good jobs in the region.
- The Miles Government is investing more than ever before in building healthcare facilities for the Wide Bay community.
The Miles Government has made a landmark investment of $1.2 billion towards a new Bundaberg Hospital which will transform healthcare for patients, carers and staff for generations to come.
The Premier and his Cabinet will meet in Bundaberg today, in recognition of the importance of the Bundaberg Hospital build - officially turning the sod and marking a significant milestone as construction begins.
Early works to establish access to the new hospital site via an extension of Johanna Boulevard, near Eggmolesse Street, were completed in March 2023.
Design and enabling works have been underway since then, ahead of major construction.
The new hospital will have more than 400 beds, including 320 overnight beds, expanded emergency department, additional operating theatres and a wider range of outpatient and diagnostic services.
This represents a 121 uplift in beds for the region. Importantly, the new hospital will also include teaching, training, and research spaces.
The new hospital build is expected to create around 2,887 local construction jobs before it is complete in late 2027, weather and building conditions permitting.
CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors are delivering early works which will involve earthworks, piling, roadworks and the establishment of in-ground services.
Concept master planning is also underway for a broader health and education precinct surrounding the new Bundaberg Hospital to meet the needs of the fast-growing community and supercharge the local economy.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is leading the development of the plan, with economic opportunities, new services, and frontline worker housing as key focuses.
The sod turn today follows an intimate gathering held onsite earlier this month, which saw representatives from the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People perform a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the site as it begins a new chapter towards delivering a healthier future.
This project is part of the Miles Labor Government’s record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland’s Big Build initiative.
The plan to deliver new and expanded hospitals helps ensure continued access to world-class healthcare for rapidly growing regions – boosting capacity through expansions to 11 existing hospitals, building three new hospitals, seven satellite and building a dedicated cancer centre.
Queensland’s Health Big Build is delivering over 3,300 additional hospital beds, including 199 delivered in 2023 and 239 through 2024.
For more information about the new Bundaberg Hospital project, please visit www.widebay.health.qld.gov.au/new-bundaberg-hospital.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“My government is delivering more hospital beds for Queenslanders right around the state, including here in Bundaberg.
“There will be more than 400 beds in this brand new hospital because of our investment, made possible because we are making multinational coal mining companies pay their fair share.
“Today, we can also announce that the new Bundaberg Hospital will be the first building block in a broader health and education hub.
“This is about utilising the land available to us to create new opportunities in health care research while generating good jobs in Bundaberg.”
Quotes attributable to Bundaberg MP Tom Smith:
"Today is a monumental day for Bundaberg where we not only reshape the skyline of the city but create a new future for healthcare and local jobs in our region.
“The New Bundaberg Hospital will drastically increase bed capacity, accessibility, and opportunity for greater expansion of services.
“As we develop the new hospital site, we will be able to expand our focus on the broader precinct to unlock even more opportunities in health and education.
“I committed myself to the people of Bundaberg to deliver them a new hospital today they can see that promise being delivered."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
“Only a Queensland Labor Government will deliver a new hospital for Bundaberg.
“David Crisafulli has never supported building a new hospital in Bundaberg, and he won’t be able to afford to build it after he made a deal with the mining lobby to reduce coal royalty rates.
“David Crisafulli’s billions of dollars in tax cuts for multinational coal companies will mean he has to scrap the new Bundaberg Hospital.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:
“My department is powering ahead with developing a concept master plan for the health and education precinct that will surround this $1.2 billion new hospital.
“The plan will deliver a strategic blueprint to guide decision-making, development, and investment to support the establishment of this new precinct.
“It’s all about making the most of all the social and economic development opportunities the hospital will bring, and ensuring services are there for this fast growing community – including housing for our front line workers - which is expected to grow by 7,700 new residents by 2035.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman:
“It’s exciting to see work begin on this landmark project so our Bundaberg locals can continue to access world class healthcare close to home.
“We expect the Wide Bay population to grow by almost 50,000 by 2046, that’s why our government is building the hospital today that the community will need in the future.
“The Miles Government’s commitment to ensuring Queenslanders can get the care they deserve, no matter where they live, is delivering more healthcare and more jobs right across the state.
“It’s fantastic to see this project will create more than 2,880 jobs during construction.
“And once this new modern hospital is complete, it will help us to attract and retain more skilled health workers to the region.
“I’m so glad that we’re already planning for their needs and considering housing options for once we’re up and running.
“A new health and education precinct means long-term health and economic benefits for the thousands of families who call the Wide Bay home.”
Quotes attributable to Wide Bay Health and Hospital Service Chief Executive, Deborah Carroll:
“This is a very special day for Bundaberg and our broader regional community.
“I’ve been involved in this project from the very beginning, and it’s been rather emotional to stand here today and witness what is undoubtably one of the biggest milestones to date.
“I know how much our community needs this new state-of-the-art hospital, so it’s enormously gratifying to know they’ll start to see physical works happening onsite.
“It was also an honour to witness today’s Welcome to Country delivered by our local Elders — acknowledging the Traditional Custodians and their continuing connection to this land will give great comfort to those visiting our new hospital in the future.”
Background information
The start of onsite early and enabling works follows the construction of an access road to the new hospital site in 2023, via an extension of Johanna Boulevard near Eggmolesse Street.