Helicopter landings at Mackay Base Hospital have temporarily relocated to the Mackay airport at the request of CQ Rescue and Babcock Aviation.
This is due to their concern with early site works associated with the expansion of the hospital.
CQ Rescue has conducted a risk assessment, and we are working with them to have landings restored to the Base Hospital for an interim period.
The $250 million hospital Mackay Base Hospital expansion project includes provision for a new permanent onsite helipad.
This expansion will deliver an additional 128 beds which are expected to come online in mid 2026.
These new beds are urgently needed to help support the growing healthcare needs of the region.
The current helipad is adjacent to the construction site and cannot remain in use during the construction period.
Mackay HHS has engaged an external aviation consultant to assess all options for helicopter landings during the construction period from 2024 – 2026.
Once this advice is received, we will be in a position to make a fully informed decision on the best outcome for our community.
The aviation consultant has engaged with stakeholders such as Queensland Ambulance Service, CQ Rescue and Retrieval Services Queensland (who coordinate the movements of patients between hospital facilities).
We reassure the community that the safety of patients and the helicopter crews will be the top consideration as we identify helicopter landing site options.
