$1.2bn New Bundaberg Hospital in QLD gearing up for major construction

The delivery of the biggest health investment in the Wide Bay region has commenced with early works now underway on the $1.2 billion New Bundaberg Hospital. 

Early works include building an initial access to the new hospital site via an extension of Johanna Boulevard near Eggmolesse Street which sits within a dedicated road corridor. 

Local contractor RoadTek Wide Bay will be undertaking the extension of Johanna Boulevard. 

“Motorists travelling in the area will start to see a hive of activity occurring in the coming months including clearing and earthworks to construct the new sealed access road. 

“In parallel, the project team is also progressing the project through a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) – an efficient, coordinated process used to assist the development of community infrastructure like hospitals and schools. 

“Undertaking these essential works alongside the MID process will enable the main works contractor for the new hospital to hit the ground running, once appointed in the new year,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said. 

The New Bundaberg Hospital site is located adjacent to the Bundaberg Ring Road and west of Kay McDuff Drive, about five kilometres south of Bundaberg’s CBD. 

The more than one billion dollar project will deliver: 

• More beds and treatment spaces 
• An expanded emergency department 
• Enhanced acute, medical, surgical and mental health services 
• Enhanced clinical support services 

The new hospital is designed to have flexible spaces that will enable repurposing in the future to cater to the changing healthcare demands of the community. Its design also has a clear strategy for future expansion. 

“The New Bundaberg Hospital will increase capacity and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the region for more specialist care, so more locals can receive care closer to home. 

“Wide Bay residents can look forward to 121 extra beds as part of the new hospital – an increase in bed capacity of nearly 50 per cent. 

“The New Bundaberg Hospital project forms part of the biggest hospital building program in the state’s history, with the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Health and Hospitals Plan delivering $9.78 billion in additional capital funding earlier this year,” Minister D’Ath said. 

New Bundaberg Hospital location (source: Queensland Health)

According to Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith, the entirety of Bundaberg is going to be excited to see works commencing on the New Bundaberg Hospital. 

“From allocating the land, to securing the $1.2 billion investment, today is the day that we begin works on the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Wide Bay. 

“The new hospital will undoubtedly deliver enormous health benefits through improved and expanded services, including an expanded emergency department, and enhanced medical, surgical and mental health services,” Mr Smith said. 

The new hospital is also anticipated to provide a significant boost in the local economy with the creation of approximately 2,887 jobs during its construction. 

The beginning of early works marks an exciting time for Wide Bay residents as well as the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services and the Board. 

“This landmark hospital project is certainly the talk of the town at the moment. 

“What I’m hearing is that our community is excited for the significant boost our regional healthcare system will receive, industry is excited for the long-term economic benefits the project will bring and people within and outside of our region are excited for future career opportunities,” Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Peta Jamieson said. 

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services Chief Executive Debbie Carroll share the same sentiments, stating: “I also want to thank the project team for its dedicated efforts in reaching this important milestone, along with Bundaberg Regional Council and other local utility providers for their ongoing assistance and collaborative approach to getting these works under way.” 

Queenslanders using Johanna Road and Eggmolesse Street will be experiencing changes in traffic conditions during the works and road users are reminded to follow the directions of traffic control and signage. 

The New Bundaberg Hospital is due to open its doors in the second half of 2027. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Queensland Health (1, 2)