THE previous federal government is taking credit for approving the funding in the first place, the current federal government is claiming credit for spending the approved funding, and the local council is just claiming credit.
Bottom line is, the state government will be responsible for running a new Meadowbrook Health Centre on Nestor Drive when it opens next year.
Construction on the $33 million state-run local urgent and specialist care facility is expected to start this month.
It’s good news for council’s vision to create the Meadowbrook area as a dedicated health precinct, in and around Logan Hospital.
It adds to the recently completed health hub at Meadowbrook Shopping Centre, and the more than $1 billion being spent to expand Logan Hospital.
Support services have in recent years been opening their doors in the area, something that’s expected to continue as the precinct grows.
The new Nestor Drive private hospital includes a minor injury and illness clinic along with a women’s health outpatient centre to provide gynaecology and antenatal services.
It’s finish date is expected to be around 2024, and there would be 12 urgent care spaces, 31 specialist outpatient consult rooms and five ultrasound imaging rooms.
“This new centre will ease pressure on the emergency department at Logan Hospital and it will give women in our community easier access to quality care,” federal treasurer and Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers said.
“This is a gamechanger for our local area.
“Our community is growing rapidly each year as more people realise everything this region has to offer.”
While much smaller than its state-owned neighbouring hospital across the road, the new centre is expected to ease pressure on the emergency department and give women easier access to quality care.
Logan City Council is also assessing a development application by Australian Unity to build a private hospital opposite the Logan Hospital on Loganlea Road, which would provide up to 90 inpatient beds.
If approved, construction of the $150 million facility could commence later this year – adding even more weight to the health precinct vision.
The precinct borders territory of both Forde and Rankin, and member for Forde Bert van Manen – who was invited to and attended the sod-turning ceremony last week – wants to jog people’s memories.
He said four years ago, he committed $33.4 million to state-run the project.
“However, four years later, the federal Labor government have only now lifted a finger to get the project underway,” he said.
While Mr van Manen may have had the vision to seek funding for the project, it’s the Logan City Council which says it has true title to vision for a Meadowbrook health precinct.
It might not be rocket science to see that one of the state’s biggest hospitals would draw a medical crowd, but council argues it has to get the zoning and surrounding infrastructure right.
This includes roads, access and connectivity between facilities, such as the hospital and Meadowbrook Shopping Centre.
A crossing and related works has enabled a more seamless and safe crossing between the two facilities.
The Meadowbrook Health Centre is being delivered by Office Park Developments (OPD).
Mayor Darren Power said every step taken to improve local health services was worthy of celebration.
“I am thrilled to be breaking ground on this latest health offering for Meadowbrook, which puts us closer to realising council’s long-term vision for a holistic health precinct,” Cr Power said.
“This project is a prime example of what can be achieved when we put people first, and work to deliver the health services that will help our community thrive.”
Albeit outside his electorate, Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said it was about boosting local capacity.
“This new service will make the world of difference to local families and help ease the pressure on the Logan Hospital emergency department, one of the busiest in the state,” Mr de Brenni said.
Cr Jon Raven, who chairs council’s economic development division, gave further development a stamp of approval.
“Council wants to attract the right health care providers for our city and developments like this provide great opportunities to improve services for our community,” Cr Raven said.
“We expect to see more than 30,000 square metres of health services delivered across the City of Logan over the next three years, and this is another important step in that direction.”
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