Progress welcomed on $710 million hospital expansion
25 May 2023
Confirmation that the tender has been awarded for the $710 million Ipswich Hospital Stage 2 expansion has been welcomed by Ipswich City Council.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the State Government’s announcement this week that BESIX Watpac Qld would build the 200-bed expansion, bringing 1700 construction jobs to Ipswich, was good news for local businesses and suppliers.
“The Ipswich Hospital Stage 2 expansion will not just add 200 new beds but will also include a new Emergency Department, new purpose-built acute clinical service building, six additional operating theatres, satellite medical imaging service and a new Central Sterilisation Service Department,” Mayor Harding said.
“This critical and much-needed expansion for healthcare services in our region is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
“In the short-term, however, this expansion program is welcome news for local businesses and suppliers keen for the opportunity to join such a major project.
“It is critical that Queensland Health and BESIX Watpac Qld ensure that our local businesses and suppliers receive orders and that they are informed and given the opportunity to bid for subcontracts, rather than the jobs and work leaving the Ipswich region.”
The State Government’s $146.3 million Ipswich Hospital Stage 1 upgrade project is expected to be completed this year with a new Acute Mental Health Unit, a new MRI suite, a 26-bed medical and surgical ward, and a transit lounge for the local community.
A new Satellite Hospital in Ripley is also set to open later this year.
Economic and Industry Development Committee Chair Councillor Nicole Jonic said the hospital expansion program was injecting direct benefit into Ipswich industry.
“Health care and social assistance is one of Ipswich’s core industries, with 17 per cent of our region’s workers employed in the sector,” Cr Jonic said.
“This major expansion of our central public hospital not only offers more specialised healthcare jobs for locals in the long-term, but brings more construction jobs to our city for the next three years.
“It’s exciting to see this milestone announced and we welcome the State’s investment in our city’s healthcare.”