- The Crisafulli Government is delivering the single biggest health investment ever for the Cairns Hospital.
- This more than $1 billion investment is part of the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan, with construction expected to be completed in 2031.
- The masterplan will not only see the expansion and modernisation of the Cairns Hospital but will also revitalise Cairns' CBD.
- The Crisafulli Government is restoring health services when Queenslanders need them most, after Labor's decade of decline left Cairns Hospital upgrades under-funded and on life support.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering the single biggest health investment ever in Cairns, with the unveiling of the masterplan for the $1 billion Cairns Hospital Expansion, to restore health services when Far North Queenslanders need them most.
The masterplan – as part of the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan – lays out the roadmap to modernise the Cairns Hospital and will deliver easier access to health services, enhanced patient experiences and integrate health, education and research facilities.
A new masterplan was necessary after an independent review revealed Labor's failed and wildly under-funded plan for the expansion project, including no plan for a surgical centre or beds and no funding or site for a multi-storey car park.
Stage 1 of the Master Plan comprises:
- a new Health Innovation and Surgical Centre, including at least 40 new beds
- a Health Management Hub
- a new multi-storey staff car park adjacent to existing Cairns Hospital facilities
- a new cyclone-rated rooftop helipad on the existing Block D
- Expansion of support services such as medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, sterilising and kitchen.
The former Labor Government left Queensland's hospitals on life support with a failed infrastructure plan that resulted in billions of dollars of blowouts.
The Crisafulli Government is working to fix the mess it inherited through the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan which will deliver at least 2,600 extra beds across new, expanded and upgraded hospitals across Queensland.
Construction is expected to commence in late 2026, following completion of land acquisitions and approval of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, with Stage 1 expected to be delivered in 2031.
To realise this opportunity for the transformation of the Cairns CBD, land next to the existing hospital is required to be acquired by Queensland Health to co-locate the new hospital facilities planned for Stage 1.
Future stages of the master plan propose a new acute services building connected with the Health Innovation and Surgical Centre and the current hospital, as well as refurbishment, demolition and redevelopment to some parts of the existing hospital and precinct connectivity.
Queensland Health will prioritise engagement with affected landowners, businesses and community services, to ensure they are well informed of the next steps and to ensure continuity of essential community services.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was restoring health services when Queenslanders need them most.
"The Crisafulli Government masterplan for the Cairns Hospital sets out a clear roadmap for the next 30 years to ensure Far North Queenslanders have access to world-class healthcare close to home now and well into the future," Minister Nicholls said.
"Labor ignored warnings that Cairns Hospital was at capacity and had outgrown its footprint.
"The redevelopment of Cairns Hospital will revitalise the CBD and it will put the city on the map as the health and innovation hub for the Far North, helping us to attract and retain more skilled health workers.
"We are delivering easier access to health services for all Queenslanders, and working to diagnose, treat and cure Labor's Health Crisis."
Members for Far North Queensland Bree James and Terry James said the masterplan was about planning properly for the future of healthcare for the Far North.
"Cairns Hospital has outgrown its footprint, and this masterplan recognises that refurbishment alone is not enough to meet future demand and deliver modern health services our community needs," Ms James and Mr James said.
"For regional and remote communities, Cairns Hospital is a lifeline, and this masterplan ensures it can deliver high-quality care for patients across the Far North for decades to come."
Chief Executive of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Leena Singh said the redevelopment would benefit the entire community.
"This will deliver benefits in healthcare, as well as to the local economy, driving investment and expanding our workforce along with establishing a knowledge economy within the Far North region," Ms Singh said.
"Modernising our infrastructure, providing the latest simulation technology and unlocking the plethora of data available to us will mean our clinicians can work with universities and other organisations to enhance research to solve some of the unique health challenges we face here in tropical Far North Queensland."
Chairman of Advance Cairns Nick Trompf said Cairns is attracting significant investment and the release of the 30-year master plan is a milestone which will be looked back on as pivotal in further elevating the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service across the region.
"A robust and growing economy relies upon a quality health ecosystem and the expansion of the Cairns Hospital and Health Service is a key plank of our advocacy for Northern Australia's most populous region," Mr Trompf said.
Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University Professor Simon Biggs said their partnership with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service in the Cairns Health and Innovation Precinct exemplifies James Cook University's mission to create a brighter future for life in the tropics and beyond through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.
"By working together, we are shaping the future of health for the people of Far North Queensland," Professor Biggs said.
