Construction of the new and expanded $31.5 million Sarina Hospital and staff accommodation has taken a step forward with the principal contractor now in place.
Established firm Woollams Construction has been awarded the tender to build the new hospital on Brewers Rd.
Mackay Hospital and Health Board chair Darryl Camilleri said the new hospital would provide Sarina with a first-class healthcare facility.
“We’re excited to be building a new, purpose-built hospital on a site which will be easy for everyone to access,” Mr Camilleri said.
Contractors will be on site this month (February) with construction expected to be complete in May 2023 with the first patients welcomed in mid-2023
Woollams Construction has a long history in Mackay constructing aged care, health, airport and public infrastructure projects for both the Government and private sector.
The company has had an office in Mackay for more than 60 years and completed many landmark projects including the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, the Botanic Gardens, the Bluewater Lagoon, Bluewater Quay, Mackay stadium and the Quest and Ibis hotels.
The project is expected to create an average of 31 full time equivalent jobs over three years.
“Woollams is no stranger to working in Sarina either having built Sarina Aged Residential Home, Sarina Council Chambers, Sarina Police Station, Sarina Field of Dreams, Wilmar Sugar and Jilalan Rail Depot,” he said.
Mr Camilleri said the firm had committed to creating local jobs and using local sub-contractors from Mackay, Sarina and the Whitsundays, with more than 20 separate trades on site during the project.
“From the roofing to the plumbing, to concrete, plastering and glazing – all of this will be sourced locally,” he said
The new hospital will have 19 beds in total – an increase from 16 beds – and the capacity to care for more people including seven single rooms each with their own ensuite bathroom
“It will be a modern and advanced facility with increased capacity to care for more people closer to home,” Mr Camilleri said.
There will be a larger and improved gym space and purpose-built outdoor areas for rehabilitation as well as a dedicated room for day procedures such as blood transfusions.
There will also be increased information communication technology capacity for telehealth consultations.
All current healthcare services provided at the Sarina Hospital will remain and continue to be provided at the new hospital.
Mr Camilleri said the Board had contributed $10 million to the project which was future-proofed to meet the ongoing health needs of the community.
“The planning and design of the new hospital means it can be easily expanded and the health service can continue to serve the people of Sarina and surrounds,” he said.
There will be pathways, landscaped areas and courtyards to provide outdoor space and green areas for family visits and meetings, or for those times when a patient just wants some fresh air.
There will also be a dedicated area to support patients in carrying out activities of daily living in a home-like environment.
