- CPB Contractors and Hansen Yuncken appointed to deliver the next stage of the Cairns hospital masterplan.
- Early works on the new rooftop helipad at Cairns Hospital are already underway and is expected to be operational in 2027.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them and healing Labor's Health Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government's Hospital Rescue Plan for Cairns has reached another major milestone with the appointment of CPB Contractors and Hansen Yuncken to deliver the Cairns Hospital precinct expansion.
CPB and Hansen Yuncken have been engaged as part of a joint venture to deliver the Cairns Health Innovation and Surgical Centre by 2031 as well as the new, extreme weather rated rooftop helipad in 2027 and design and enabling works for the multi-storey staff car park.
The contract follows the release of a new masterplan for the project earlier this year, after an independent review revealed Labor's failed and wildly under-funded plan for the Cairns expansion, including no funding or plan for new operating theatres or beds, and no site for a multi-storey car park or the helipad.
The Crisafulli Government's Hospital Rescue Plan will deliver an expansion for the Cairns Hospital, bringing together healthcare, education, research, administration, retail and public spaces, as part of the more than $1 billion investment that will support the healthcare needs of Far North Queensland for decades to come.
Stage 1 of the project comprises:
- A new Health Innovation and Surgical Centre, including at least 40 new beds, four new operating theatres, 16 day surgery spaces, a specialist outpatient department, clinical trials facilities and simulation and training spaces;
- A Health Management Hub;
- A new multi-storey staff car park adjacent to existing Cairns Hospital facilities with 950 spaces;
- A new extreme weather-rated rooftop helipad on the existing Block D;
- Expansion of support services such as medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, sterilising and a new kitchen to support the expanding hospital.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them, with the fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan delivering at least 2,600 extra beds across three new and 10 expanded Queensland hospitals, after a decade of decline under Labor led to soaring ambulance ramping and an out-of-control elective surgery waitlist.
The first new ward under the Cairns Hospital Expansion plan has already been delivered, with 28 new surgical and orthopaedic beds and four new high-care multi-trauma bays opening this month.
Works on the new extreme weather-rated rooftop helipad are also already underway, with other site works expected to commence before the end of the year.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls celebrated these significant milestones in strengthening healthcare services for Far North Queensland communities.
"We know the hospital has already outgrown its footprint, which is why we are moving quickly with this project and have set out a roadmap for the next 30 years to deliver state-of-the-art health services needed now and into the future," Minister Nicholls said.
"The former Labor Government botched the plan for the Cairns expansion and were happy to sit back do nothing as Cairns Hospital hit capacity.
"We are delivering health services when Queenslanders need them, with the expansion of the Cairns Hospital."
Member for Barron River Bree James said the expansion project was set to transform the Cairns CBD and help deliver health services when Queenslanders need them.
"This is the Far North's largest single health investment in history, with the expansion not only delivering more healthcare, but also generating around 3,800 jobs during construction, providing a significant economic boost for the region," Ms James said.
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the Hospital Rescue Plan had got the Cairns project back on track after ten years of decline under Labor.
"This expansion represents far more than new buildings and a rooftop helipad, we are expanding healthcare capacity, improving access to specialist services, strengthening research and education, and supporting a healthier future for Far North Queensland," Mr James said.
