Artist's drawing of the new Bundaberg Hospital set among gardens and walking paths

We're investing $1.2 billion to build a bigger and better Bundaberg Hospital on a new site at Thabeban.

Our project is one of the largest in Queensland and includes:

  • more beds and operating rooms
  • new medical and surgical wards
  • more health care services.

The new hospital will serve our growing and ageing community and help you get more of the care you need close to home.

We expect the new hospital to be finished by the end of 2027, weather and building conditions permitting.

Why we're expanding

Our regional population is growing and more people will need access to quality health care in our area.

Bundaberg Hospital is also one of our busiest hospitals and provides specialist health services for patients across Wide Bay. Building a new Bundaberg Hospital on a new site will make sure we meet the needs of our community, now and in the future.

The upgrades are part of the Queensland Health and Hospitals Plan. We've planned them based on:

  • our medical and clinical health service needs
  • information about our population and expected growth
  • feedback and consultation with our patients and community
  • advice from builders, engineers and design experts
  • feedback from our staff, nurses, doctors and clinical experts.

What we're building

The new Bundaberg Hospital building program includes the following building and services upgrades.

  • 121 new overnight beds

  • Larger emergency department

  • New operating rooms, with support for cardiology procedures

  • New clinical services building with 6 levels and a rooftop helipad

  • Larger range of outpatient and diagnostic services

  • Acute mental health inpatient unit

  • Teaching, training and research spaces

  • Support services building with 3 levels

Block and stack plan of the new hospital showing the location of services and units on each level.
The block and stack plan of the new 6-level hospital shows where each department and service will be located. There will be public lifts, and separate clinical and logistic lifts for staff, patient and goods movements.

Where we're building the new hospital

The new hospital will be located near Bundaberg Ring Road and Kay McDuff Drive.

The latest master plan for the site shows the planned layout of buildings, parking areas and drop off or pick up points. We’ve also thought about how we can expand our new hospital in the long-term future.

You’ll likely be able to use buses, ride-share, walkways and bike paths to get to hospital. We’re looking at different ways to help people get there.

We want to make sure there’s enough parking when you come to hospital. Queensland Health is looking at options as part of a separate project. Parking will be safe and affordable.

Map of the new Bundaberg Hospital site near Bundaberg Ring Road and Kay McDuff Drive. Bundaberg Airport is nearby, to the west. The central business district, railway station and the old Bundaberg Hospital are to the north.

Timeline

The timeline and dates may change.

Artists impression of new operating hospital beds and facilities

March 2023 – New hospital access road completed

May 2024 – Onsite early works start

2025 – Main construction expected to commence, subject to environmental approvals and design completion

Late 2027 – New hospital completed, weather and building conditions permitting

Plans for the old hospital

We'll still use parts of the old hospital on Bourbong Street for specialist appointments and day health services that aren't urgent. Our oral health and cancer care patients can continue to see us at our centre on Hope Street. All patients requiring an overnight stay will be cared for at our new hospital.

Jobs

As we grow and finish our upgrades, we’ll need new staff members to join our team. We'll have jobs across all areas including nursing, medicine, allied health, pharmacy and business support.

You can search our vacancies or register your interest for future jobs when our new hospital opens.

Jobs in construction

Building the hospital will create around 2,887 construction jobs.

If you'd like to apply for construction jobs or trade contracts you can express your interest:

CPB Contractors will deliver the detailed design and early works for the project in Stage 1. Under the Queensland Government's two-stage contractor model, they must deliver a value for money guaranteed price for the project before main works construction begins in Stage 2.

Get involved

We’re working with people and groups from our community to help plan the upgrades and get feedback. This includes holding:

  • user group sessions where we co-design clinical and public spaces with architects and clinicians
  • consultations about the look and design of the upgrades and wayfinding strategy
  • training and work experience opportunities for local school students.

We're also working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Traditional Owners to make sure the new hospital is welcoming and culturally safe.

Stay up to date

To keep up to date with the project, sign up to for the latest news, follow us on social media or read our project updates.

Tell us what you think

To tell us what you think or ask a question, call us on 07 4303 8540 or email wbhhs‑newhospital@health.qld.gov.au.

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Last updated: November 2024