- The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when you need them and improving patient transfers at the Mackay Hospital.
- A new temporary carpark at the Mackay Hospital to free up space for patients and provide additional car parking for staff and visitors.
- The on-site helipad is now being recommissioned, allowing for improved time-critical transfer of patients.
- Planning continues under Crisafulli Government's Hospital Rescue Plan for major expansion of the hospital that will deliver more overnight beds and expanded health services, with the new masterplan expected to be completed mid-2026.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services, with patient transfer at the Mackay Hospital receiving a major boost.
Works have commenced on a temporary carpark for 80 vehicles at the Mackay Hospital to free up space for additional patient, visitor and staff car parking.
In addition, the recommissioning of the on-site helipad improves time-critical transfers of patients directly to and from the hospital.
The hospital's helicopter landing site was relocated to the Mackay Airport in 2024 as part of the previous Labor Government's failed plans for new buildings at the Mackay Hospital.
Since then, an average of 36 helicopters a month have had to divert to Mackay Airport for transfer by ambulance of critical need patients to the hospital.
Refurbishment works are now underway on the helipad and expected to be completed in the next few months.
In a win for local jobs, Mackay-based civil contractor, Vassallo Constructions, has been awarded the contract to complete the enabling works at Mackay Hospital. Vassallo is supported by Mackay-based electrical contractor, Revolution Electrical, in recommissioning the helipad.
The appointment of the local contractors follows a revised procurement strategy to ensure work packages are right-sized for local contractor who now have the opportunity to secure work on the project, keeping the value of this significant investment in the region.
The Crisafulli Government is healing Labor's Health Crisis, with its fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan delivering a major expansion of the Mackay Base Hospital, with more overnight beds, more carparking and expanded health services.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was delivering easier access to health services for the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
"The Mackay Hospital masterplan will identify a staged growth of the hospital campus, enabling the continued safe delivery of health services to the community as health services expand and adapt to meet the growing demand for healthcare," Minister Nicholls said.
"The independent review of the Labor Government's plans for Mackay Hospital identified a number of serious flaws, including a $270 million cost blowout to more than double the announced budget.
"The former Labor Government left Queensland's hospitals on life support with no credible plan to deliver major infrastructure.
"The Crisafulli Government's fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan is the largest hospital infrastructure investment in Queensland's history and will deliver at least 2,600 extra beds across new hospitals, expansions and upgrades."
Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton said the Crisafulli Government was delivering for the people of Mackay.
"With the first stage of works now complete, the on-site helipad at the Mackay Base Hospital will be reopened, allowing for the time-critical transfer of patients directly to and from the hospital," Mr Dalton said.
"The new temporary carpark will provide dedicated fleet parking for over 80 Queensland Health vehicles, freeing up space on the site for additional public and staff carparking," Mr Dalton said.
Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm said the Crisafulli Government was committed to delivering more beds at the Mackay Base Hospital.
"A new masterplan will take into account how the facility should grow over time to meet the changing needs of our growing community," Ms Camm said.
Member for Mirani, Mr Glen Kelly said the recommissioning of the on-site helipad and additional car parking is a practical win for people across Mirani who rely on Mackay Base Hospital.
"Our communities travel long distances to access care, so having patients transferred directly to the hospital in emergencies, and making it easier for families and staff to find a park, will make a real difference day to day," Mr Kelly said.
"It's also great to see local contractors delivering this work, keeping jobs and investment right here in our region."
The new masterplan is expected to be completed mid-2026.
