Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls visited Mackay Base Hospital the week before Christmas to confirm that the previously announced multi-storey car park project will proceed, now with the addition of a rooftop helipad.
The car park will provide 550 new parking spaces, improving community access to healthcare, but will introduce paid parking for the first time. Rates are yet to be determined, and the project is part of the Queensland Government’s state-wide Hospital Carparking Program, with completion expected in 2026.
The LNP has called out the former government for “mismanagement”, claiming that Labor’s hospital expansion program for Queensland was announced with a projected cost of $9.785 billion but now exceeds $16 billion when accounting for additional beds and clinical facilities.
Minister Nicholls said that the Crisafulli Government is committed to rescuing these projects from Labor's failures and delivering the health services all Queenslanders deserve, including the expanded Mackay Base Hospital.
“The previous Labor Government’s sweetheart deal with its CFMEU paymasters drove up costs and delayed vital upgrades across the Queensland hospital expansion program,” Minister Nicholls said.
L-R: Mackay Hospital and Health Board member Bill Cooper, Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon, Minister for Health & Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls, Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, and MHHS Executive Leadership representatives Natalie Williams and Jenny Farley. Photo source: Mackay Hospital and Health Service
“Upgrading Mackay Base Hospital is a critical project, which is why I’m here to talk to doctors, nurses and healthcare practitioners about what they need to be able to do their job properly.
“Let me be clear – the Crisafulli Government will deliver this project as we promised – with the final budget and timeline to be determined during negotiations for construction.
“Our focus being on ensuring taxpayers money is spent wisely and delivers better facilities for patients.”
Minister Nicholls also revealed the design of the new carpark had been changed by the Labor Government in May 2024 to include the proposed relocation of the helipad.
This change had apparently not been previously announced or discussed with the local neighbours and the project is subject to the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation approval process, including consultation with the local community.
Subject to planning and other approvals, the carpark is planned to commence early works in 2025 and is budgeted separately from the hospital expansion from the statewide hospital carparking program.
The carpark is planned to be completed in 2026.
“This new carpark at the Mackay Base Hospital will make life easier for staff, patients, and their families.
“The potential for including a helipad on the roof of the carpark would significantly improve patient transfers to the critical care needed in the hospital,” Minister Nicholls said.
The helipad was temporarily relocated to Mackay Airport at the start of the year to allow for the safe delivery of hospital expansion works at Mackay Base Hospital.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon welcomed the design and said it would help to boost patient outcomes.
“I have no doubt our staff, patients and visitors will welcome an end to our car parking challenges.
“We know how challenging it can be to find a park, considering we have very big and busy outpatient clinics.
“As we continue to expand our services and provide increasing care for our community, we know this new carpark will provide a secure location close to the hospital for all our visitors and staff.
“Importantly, the addition of the helipad in the design will further improve our services to patients because it will enable us to transfer them from the helipad to the emergency department faster,” Ms Gannon said.
• Better healthcare services being delivered in Mackay
• Work continues on hospital expansion
• New carpark design to include helipad for quicker and safer patient transfer to emergency services
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls with Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton MP. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Artist Impression of Mackay Base Hospital upgrades set to commence in 2026
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