Major milestone for new Bundaberg Hospital

• CPB Contractors have signed a new and improved agreement to deliver the new Bundaberg Hospital.
• The new deal delivers better value for Queensland taxpayers made possible by the Crisafulli Government’s decision to axe Labor’s CFMEU tax.
• Stage 1 of the project will deliver more than 200 beds and treatment areas focused on acute services and clinical priorities.
• The Crisafulli Government’s fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan is healing Labor’s Health Crisis and delivering health services when you need them. 

The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland’s future, with CPB Contractors signing an improved deal at the new Bundaberg Hospital, one of Queensland’s largest health infrastructure projects, in a key milestone under the Hospital Rescue Plan. 

CPB is confirmed as the preferred contractor to power ahead with works ahead of

construction of Stage 1, which will deliver more than 200 beds and treatment areas by 2031. 

Thanks to the Crisafulli Government’s axing of Labor's CFMEU tax, the new Early Contractor Involvement contracting model is delivering more value for money after Labor’s rigid approach saw costs skyrocket and projects significantly delayed - ultimately contributing to the $7 billion in budget blowouts across their failed Capacity Expansion Program.

The new project agreement will deliver greater value for taxpayers through improved risk sharing, clearer scope, greater price certainty and more opportunities for local subcontractors to help build the hospital. 

Once complete, the new Bundaberg Hospital will provide more than 410 beds and treatment spaces, including at least 139 additional overnight beds, a larger emergency department, expanded outpatient, diagnostic and surgical services, more operating rooms and a rooftop helipad. 

Main works construction will commence later this year with lift cores and the first ground slab poured by the end of the year. 

Today’s milestone follows the Crisafulli Government’s decision to scrap Labor’s failed Capacity Expansion Program after an independent review exposed years of mismanagement, lengthy delays, billions of dollars in cost blowouts and significant design flaws. 

In Bundaberg, Labor’s proposal would have split hospital services across two campuses, retained major services on a flood-prone site and burdened the local Hospital and Health Service with up to $200 million in additional operating costs every year. 

The Crisafulli Government also scrapped Labor’s CFMEU tax - or BPICs - which imposed up to $38.6 billion in direct and indirect costs on Queensland taxpayers since 2018.  
 
Today's announcement follows the appointment of the main works contractor for the new Toowoomba Hospital earlier this year and demonstrates the Crisafulli Government’s fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan is building Queensland’s future and delivering easier access to health services. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was getting on with the job of healing Labor’s Health Crisis through the Hospital Rescue Plan. 
 
“The new Bundaberg Hospital is the largest health infrastructure investment ever delivered in the Wide Bay and will make it easier for people across the region to access world-class health services closer to home,” Minister Nicholls said.  
 
“After a decade of decline under Labor, we’re replacing an ageing, flood-prone hospital with a modern, purpose-built facility that will deliver more than 410 beds and treatment spaces, expanded clinical services and the capacity to care for this growing region for generations to come.” 
 
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said that for too long, Bundaberg families were promised a new hospital but left waiting while the existing hospital struggled to keep pace with our growing community. 
 
“Now we’re seeing real progress on the ground, and every milestone brings us closer to delivering the world-class hospital our region deserves and easier access to health services closer to home,” Mr Bennett said. 
 
“This project will strengthen healthcare across the Wide Bay by attracting more frontline health workers and ensuring local families can access the care they need, when they need it, right here in Bundaberg.” 
 
For more information on the Crisafulli Government's hospital rescue plan, visit www.plan.health.qld.gov.au