Four Ipswich City Council buildings and other land have been purchased by West Moreton Health for $20.65 million in an important milestone as the Ipswich Health Precinct progresses.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the purchase of the South Street buildings and other properties close to Ipswich Hospital was the next step in rolling out the master-planned Ipswich Health Precinct. 

“The Palaszczuk Government has invested more than $146.3 million over 5 years for Stage 1 of the Master Plan to expand Ipswich Hospital and related health services into an all-encompassing precinct to meet the needs of the fast-growing region,” the Minister said.

“This includes $2million for the development of a business case to be finalised in 2021 for facilities and services in one convenient CBD location.

“The Ipswich Health Precinct will cater for a projected doubling of the West Moreton population to 587,000 by 2036."

The South Street buildings are the WG Hayden Humanities Centre, the Hayden Centre and the Ipswich Global Information Centre, which houses the former public library and the Administration Building. Other property is at 3 Foote Lane and 82 Limestone Street.

The properties will be handed over to West Moreton Health in September 2021.  West Moreton Health will determine the future use of the buildings.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard welcomed the purchase, saying that the Ipswich Health Precinct would deliver world-class healthcare closer to home for the Ipswich region.

“Delivering the master-planned Ipswich Health Precinct has been a top priority for the Palaszczuk Government because it means that locals will have improved access to top-quality healthcare and create local jobs along the way.”

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said that the purchase built on a huge amount of work already underway.

“Early works for Stage 1 are nearing completion for the $91 million 50-bed Acute Mental Health Unit at the Ipswich Hospital alongside a new $25 million 26-bed ward and additional outpatient areas,” said Ms Mullen.

“This is on top of the state-of-the-art MRI suite which opened ahead of schedule in December 2019.”

Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said that in addition to the Stage 1 funding, the Palaszczuk Government had committed a further $22 million to Ipswich Hospital.

“The additional $22 million is a further significant investment by the Palaszczuk Government that includes $11 million for an Emergency Department expansion with paediatric treatment spaces and a dedicated mental health area, $9.3 million for an obstetric theatre and $1.7 million to expand capacity for renal dialysis and nephrology services. “

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said that the culmination of the projects underway as part of the Master Plan would mean that more people in the region would be able to receive care closer to home.

“This precinct has already begun to transform the way that healthcare is delivered for our region, and importantly, has supported hundreds of local jobs in the construction phase.”

West Moreton Hospital and Health Board Chair Michael Willis thanked the Queensland Government for its support for local healthcare and said the purchase would bring to fruition a long-held plan to develop an all-encompassing Ipswich Health Precinct.

“This will meet a forecast doubling of demand for health services in line with population growth over the next 15 years,” he said.

For more information on the West Moreton Health Master Plan, visit www.westmoreton.health.qld.gov.au/MasterPlan 

FAST FACTS 

• West Moreton Health will receive $146.3 million to deliver Stage 1 of the WMH Master Plan which includes:
  • $5.2 million MRI suite, which opened at Ipswich Hospital in December 2019.
  • $91 million 50-bed Acute Mental Health Unit which will open in late 2022.
  • $25 million, 26-bed ward and refurbished space for allied health, oncology, and outpatient care at Ipswich Hospital. These new facilities will open in stages with the first of the outpatient spaces opening in March 2021 and the 26-bed ward opening in late 2021. 
  • The $20.65million purchase of four Ipswich City Council buildings and other land to enable future expansion of the Ipswich Health Precinct.
• West Moreton Health has received $2 million to commence planning for Stage 2 of the Master Plan which includes a business case to consider use of the Ipswich City Council properties.
• The Palaszczuk Government has also announced additional funding of $22 million made up of:
  • $1.7 million renal
  • $11 million ED expansion
  • $9.3 million obstetric theatre
• West Moreton Health has a 15-year Master Plan for infrastructure and clinical services which is subject to government approval at each stage, to respond to a predicted doubling in population size by 2036