Construction of $530m Townsville University Hospital expansion to create 1454 jobs

The $530 million expansion of Townsville University Hospital has commenced construction, and it is expected to create up to 1,454 full-time equivalent jobs. 

This major expansion is set to deliver 143 new beds to meet the growing healthcare needs of the North Queensland community. 

A temporary helipad is now being built, paving the way for the construction of a new multi-storey clinical building on the site where the existing helipad is located. This stage of the project will also deliver an additional 330 staff carparks. 

“We know that our community is growing and ageing, and this significant capital expansion ensures that we continue to deliver contemporary, world-class health infrastructure to keep North Queenslanders healthy well into the future. 

“The construction of the temporary helipad is the first stage in expanding the health services we offer for our growing region. 

“The new clinical building will be constructed on top of the current helipad location and this temporary helipad means those patients who come in via helicopter retrieval or transfer will still land on the hospital campus,” Townsville Hospital and Health Services Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said. 

Once up and running, the new clinical building will provide more acute care, rehabilitation as well as outpatient services such as telehealth services for the community as Townsville is projected to experience the largest population growth in regional Queensland. 

BESIX Watpac was awarded the contract to undertake the delivery of the project last year. You can read more about it here. 

The Townsville University Hospital expansion is anticipated to reach its practical completion in late 2026. 

“Townsville University Hospital is already delivering fantastic world class healthcare to people in the city and throughout North Queensland. 

“This expansion is important in delivering these services closer to home, particularly as Townsville grows in the future,” Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said. 

“As a former paramedic I know how important it is to invest in our hospital and health care in general which is why I’m so excited to see this work begin,” Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said. 

“We promised more beds at Townsville University Hospital and that’s exactly what the Miles Government is delivering. 

“Townsville is a fantastic place to live so we’re focused on delivering world class infrastructure like this for the community because we know it will make a difference to their lives,” Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said. 

This hospital expansion project is part of the State Government’s record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland’s Big Build initiative. 

The Queensland Government is committed to building health infrastructure the community needs for the future with the delivery of the Townsville University Hospital expansion along with the $40 million expansion of the Kirwan Community Health Campus, construction of the $17 million hybrid theatre and the $10.6 million clinical services upgrade of the North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service and the outpatients department. 

The delivery of new and expanded hospitals will help ensure the community continues to have access to world-class healthcare. The Health Big Build will boost healthcare capacity through the expansion of 11 existing hospitals, the construction of three new hospitals as well as the delivery of seven satellite facilities and a dedicated cancer centre. 

Overall, the Health Big Build will deliver more than 3,300 additional hospital beds, including 199 in 2023 and 239 in 2024. 

“The Miles Government’s landmark investment is delivering more healthcare and more jobs for the Townsville community. 

“North Queenslanders deserve modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities – and that’s what we’re building. 

“I’m excited to see the work kick off on the largest expansion to the Townsville University Hospital in nearly a decade. 

“This is about making sure people in Townsville can continue to access world class healthcare close to home for years to come,” Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Townsville Hospital and Health Service; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline