Joint media release with Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, the Hon Michelle Landry MP and Member for Herbert Mr Phillip Thompson OAM, MP
A new six-level car park at the centre of ongoing upgrades to the Mater Private Hospital in Townsville is to be built with the assistance of a $19.75 million loan backed by the Australian Government.
The loan, provided through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), will fund the building of the car park at the hospital's Pimlico campus.
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the investment would improve the hospital's capacity to serve the people of North Queensland.
"This new car park will provide spaces for more than 400 cars at a centralised location which will give patients and families easy access to facilities on the entire hospital campus," Minister Pitt said.
"It will also improve the safety and security of staff, who on occasions have had to walk long distances to their cars at night.
"The car park is a central element of a 10-year plan by the hospital to upgrade services, including a new x-ray facility, surgery facilities and a medical centre.
"With an expected $7.6 million in public benefit, this support through NAIF once again demonstrates the Government's ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure in northern Australia."
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Michelle Landry said NAIF is delivering key job-creating projects in Queensland.
"In Queensland, NAIF is providing $850 million in loans through Investment Decisions and conditional approvals to infrastructure projects, supporting over 2,200 jobs," Ms Landry said.
"NAIF is an important partner in the delivery of economic opportunities that continue to build resilient communities in northern Queensland."
Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project was another example of the NAIF delivering much-needed infrastructure for Townsville.
"Anyone who's been to the hospital knows how difficult it can sometimes be to get a parking spot, so this extra capacity will be very welcome," Mr Thompson said.
"The Mater is an important part of our city's health offering, and it's a great sign of confidence that they're embarking on this project, so soon after opening the state-of-the-art Mercy Centre."
The car park is scheduled to be completed in September 2021 and will provide 12 full-time construction jobs and two ongoing jobs.
Mater Health's regional Executive Director, North and Central Queensland Gerard Wyvill said the carpark at our Pimlico Campus is a significant piece of infrastructure.
"It will allow improved accessibility for our patients and visitors. This project is an integral part of our 10-year master plan, which enables our continued growth, demonstrated most recently through our Mercy Centre which offers a new Queensland x-ray facility, digital operating theatres, a new day surgery Unit and new hospital entrance.
"This infrastructure will support our current projects, which include relocation and development of the specialist Maternity and Special Care Unit and the construction of the Medical Specialist centre."
The Mater Private Hospital has two campuses in Townsville, at Pimlico and Hyde Park.
Services include an emergency department, cardiac surgery and other complex procedures.
The hospital employs more than 1,000 staff and is the only private tertiary-equipped hospital in northern Australia.
The hospital is committed to serving North Queensland and improving the health, education and employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
