- New multi-storey car park coming to Hervey Bay Hospital
- 2023-24 State Budget includes Wide Bay health investment of $849.2 million
- Wide Bay infrastructure spending increased to $1.9 billion, plus cost-of-living relief for every Queensland household
The Palaszczuk Government will build a multi-storey car park at Hervey Bay Hospital to increase accessibility, convenience and reduce unneeded stress for patients, families, and visitors.
Almost $60 million is allocated in the 2023-24 State Budget to build the new car park which is expected to have more than 550 spaces.
Queensland Health expects construction to begin in 2024 and the car park to be operational in 2026.
Planning is currently underway to maximise the design to ensure the car park best serves those who rely on the hospital by improving ease of access for patients who receive regular treatment, and those who need specialist procedures.
The new investment is another example of how the Palaszczuk Government invests in the community's growing needs around health.
This project will significantly boost the number of car parks currently available and will support the Palaszczuk Government's $82.3 million total spend expansion of the Hervey Bay Hospital.
The expansion will deliver a new acute mental health unit, a new helipad and 35 patient beds, including 10 intensive care beds. This expansion program supports 215 construction jobs and will create 30 new health jobs locally.
The Palaszczuk Government is investing $849.2 million into the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service in 2023-24 to deliver even better access to healthcare across the region.
As part of the State's Big Build, $1.9 billion in health infrastructure investments have been committed in the Wide Bay area, including $52.3 million in 2023-24 out of a total $1.2 billion for construction of the new Bundaberg Hospital which will deliver an additional 121 overnight patient beds to expand capacity and meet the needs of the community into the future.
Significant investments are also being made into renewable energy in Wide Bay, including $200 million to Australia's largest publicly owned wind farm at Tarong West and $183.7 million toward design and exploratory works for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy project.
The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to invest in education and will provide $56.1 million to maintain, improve and upgrade schools in the region to ensure all students had access to world class education.
Recreation and culture investments in the Budget include $2.9 million for a major upgrade of the Central Station day use area at K'gari (Fraser Island) and $1 million to upgrade visitor infrastructure at the Bunya Mountains National Park.
The government is providing $1.48 billion in this Budget to support households and small businesses facing cost-of-living pressures, including a $550 electricity bill cost of living rebate for all households, up to $1,072 in total rebates for vulnerable households and $650 for eligible small businesses.
Quotes attributable to the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
"A new multi-storey car park at Hervey Bay will relieve a lot of stress for people who are already going through challenging times with their health, or the health of someone they love.
"The new car park will cost close to $60 million and have more than 550 car spaces.
"It will be an essential part of a growing hospital which is currently going through a $82.3 million expansion as part of Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service's $1.9 billion health infrastructure spend.
"Queensland Labor has always helped Queenslanders when they are going through hard times, like those battling during the national cost of living challenge.
"The Government announced $8.2 billion in concessions in the recent budget, including $550 electricity rebates for every household, and $1072 for seniors and concession card holders.
"Our $89 billion Big Build program, the biggest infrastructure project in the State's history, gets on with building the roads, bridges, hospitals and energy infrastructure the State needs for the future.
"The Big Build keeps Queensland moving forward with meaningful projects at a time when cost-of-living pressures are impacting on every household."
Quotes attributable to Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari:
"The new multi-storey car park at Hervey Bay Hospital cements the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to progressing the hospital's development master plan.
"As construction continues on the $82.3 million expansion, it is wonderful to see money and planning underway for the next step, the much needed car park.
"This car park will ease a lot of pressure of those who rely on the hospital regularly while also creating a more user-friendly approach to accessing the hospital for patients."
Quotes attributable to Wide Bay HHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll:
"This announcement is great news for the Hervey Bay community.
"With the enormous growth in our region over the past few years, we already have high demand for parking from patients, visitors and staff.
"As we bring on additional doctors, nurses and support staff with the much-needed expansion of Hervey Bay Hospital, we will need more safe, accessible car parking spaces.
"We look forward to working with our staff and the community to ensure that we provide transport solutions to meet the needs of the Hervey Bay community."
Others Wide Bay Budget investments in 2023-24 include:
- $6 million for carry out works at East Bundaberg substation to improve network performance.
- $1.9 million for Stage 2 of the Moore Park Beach master plan
- $8 million to deliver additional specialist classrooms at Kepnock State High School
- $2.6 million for Scarness Beachside Tourist Caravan Park redevelopment
- $200,000 to continue redevelopment of the Hervey Bay Water Police Facility
- $1.8 million for Urangan Point State School to deliver a new hall facility.
- $2.3 million for the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre Master Plan implementation
- $13.2 million to rebuild the Pialba Substation
- $471,421 to protect environmental and Indigenous culture heritage values in Hervey Bay and K'gari as part of the Indigenous Land and Sea Range Program.
- $3.5 million to complete development of the Maryborough area brigade headquarters.
- $10.8 million to carry out refurbishment works at the Kilkivan Substation.
- $2.1 million to construct additional specialist classrooms at the James Nash State High School
- $2 million to upgrade an existing amenity block at One Mile State School
- $2.4 million to continue deliver of a replacement Gympie South Fire and Rescue Station
- $8 million toward construction of the four land Tiaro bypass (in partnership with the Australian Government)
- $183.2 million for Stanwell to build, own and operate a 150-megawatt battery near Tarong Power Station to provide energy storage capacity.
- $1.9 million to upgrade the Imbil auxiliary fire and rescue station
- $29.5 million to replace and refurbish equipment at the Meandu Mine
- $72.5 million to replace and refurbish infrastructure at the Tarong Power Station.
To access the full range of concessions, rebates and supports available, Queenslanders can visit www.queenslandsavers.qld.gov.au
