Health Minister’s drive for innovative and flexible assets
Queensland’s Health Minister, Hon. Cameron Dick MP, outlined his vision for the future development of the health system’s physical assets in his first appearance at the annual Property Council ‘Health + Property’ breakfast.
2 guests heard the Minister define the challenges facing the State’s health system, namely an aging and growing population, and identify the opportunities that the new Government is seeking to exploit to address these challenges.
The need to make more innovative and flexible use of existing assets and the next investments, was highlighted by the Minster as his core focus. The recent announcement of Queensland’s first co-located hospital, ambulance, police, fire and emergency services facility at Alpha was used by the Minister as an example of his innovation focus. The $17.5 million Alpha Hospital and Emergency Services project will be constructed by Hutchinson Builders and use modular construction methods. Alignment of government service in co-located facilities was highlighted by the Minister as a key future trend.
The Minister outlined that the top priority project for the Government in the health sphere was the completion of the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital (SCPUH). The hospital will open with 4 beds in 2016, with the ability to grow to over 738 beds. The SCPUH will be the first new tertiary hospital to be built in Australia for 20 years and will be co-located with private hospital facility.
Casting his eye beyond 2016, the Minister outlined that 9,0 health projects from around the state are currently being assessed by a departmental investment priority review committee. The impending State Infrastructure Plan will include a priority list for future health investment projects as part of an over-arching State-wide development framework.
Providing an update on the Government’s approach to the Herston Quarter site, the Minister confirmed that three potential proponents had been shortlisted and asked to progress their proposals for further consideration. The new Government is seeking to maintain a health focus for the site as part of a mixed-use development, and has allocated money in the health budget to assist in this development. Although still working through the tenure structure, the Minister is keen to expedite the delivery of this new development.
In positive news for the industry, the Minster outlined his willingness to “tap the energy of the dynamic property sector” and leverage private sector knowledge and investment to deliver better health services for Queenslanders. The new market-led proposals framework, established by the new Government, has already seen several health-related proposals submitted for consideration with Queensland Health and the Treasury.
The Property Council thanks Minister Dick for taking this opportunity to engage with industry, and acknowledges the generous support of major sponsor Turner & Townsend, without whom the event would not have been possible.
Photos of the event are available here.
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