The state government has promised a massive expansion of hospital services on the Gold Coast while work will finally get underway on a new facility at Coomera.
Treasurer Cameron Dick has unveiled a record $9.6 billion to build new hospitals across the state and expand existing ones that will see an extra 2,200 beds.
At least 608 of those will be on the Gold Coast.
The budget has earmarked $1.3 billion for the new Coomera Hospital which will have 404 beds.
However, just $20 million of that will be spent in the 2022-23 financial year for early works with the facility not expected to be complete until 2027.
Robina Hospital will be expanded by 114 beds through a lease arrangement while there will also be $16.5 million for a 20-bed transit lounge at Robina.
The Gold Coast University will receive $72 million for a 70-bed modular expansion.
Read more: Qld budget ‘back in black’, taxes to rise
$139.9 million will be spent this year for the ongoing construction of seven satellite hospitals across Queensland, including one at Tugun, with the facilities expected to be completed in 2023.
The state budget confirms the cost blowout for the already late Light Rail Stage 3.
The project will now cost $1.2 billion with $270.2 million to be spent in the next financial year.
However, no money has been set aside for a business case for Light Rail Stage 4, despite Council setting aside its share.
There’s another $265 million in 2022-23 for works on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector.
Another $120 million has been earmarked for the ongoing upgrade of the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.
The thousands of small and medium businesses on the Gold Coast will benefit from a cut to payroll tax.
The move will benefit businesses with a payroll below $10.4 million, saving them up to $26,000 a year.
Around $59 million dollars has been set aside for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics Taskforce as it plans infrastructure and athletes villages, including a satellite village in Robina.
QLD STATE BUDGET 2021 – Gold Coast winners
Health
- Health Capacity Expansion Program – $9.785 billion over 6 years for the Capacity Expansion Program including expansion of Robina Hospital and construction of Coomera Hospital
- Ormeau Ambulance Station – $4.5 million in 2022-23 out of a $6.5 million total spend
- Gold Coast University Hospital – $45.5 million in 2022-23 out of a $105.5 million total spend for an expansion of the Gold Coast University Hospital to deliver a Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit
- Southport Health Precinct – $1.5 million in 2022-23 out of a $8.9 million total spend to replace the existing chillers with air-cooled chillers, fan coil units and air handling units
- Robina Hospital – $3.8 million in 2022-23 out of a $12 million total spend for the delivery of a second CT scanner to address the increased demand for procedures and emergency CT studies and replace the
emergency warning system - Satellite Hospitals – $139.9 million in 2022-23 out of a $280 million total spend to deliver 7 satellite hospitals, including at Tugun
- Southport Ambulance Station and Gold Coast Operations Centre – $4 million in 2022-23 out of a $10.2 million total spend to redevelop the Southport Ambulance Station and Gold Coast Operations Centre
Roads and Transport
- $270.2 million for Light Rail Stage 3 out of total spend of $1.2 billion
- New Gold Coast Stations – design and construction $57.2 million in 2022-23 out of a $120 million total spend towards 3 new railway stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac
- Coomera Connector – Stage One, – $265 million in 2022-23 out of a $2.163 billion total spend
- Pacific Motorway upgrade – Varsity Lakes to Tugun, $180 million in 2022-23 out of a $1 billion total spend
Education
- Gainsborough State School – $10.6 million in 2022-23 out of a $55.3 million total spend
- Coomera State Special School – $4.4 million in 2022-23 out of a $45.6 million total spend
- Coombabah State High School – $7.2 million in 2022-23 out of a $10.9 million total spend to construct a new building for additional learning spaces
- Bellevue Park State School – $3.2 million in 2022-23 out of a $5.3 million total spend to construct additional learning spaces
- Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School – $5.1 million in 2022-23 out of a $10 million total spend to deliver a new hall
- Mudgeeraba Special School – $7.1 million in 2022-23 out of a $13.6 million total spend to construct a new building for additional learning spaces
Law & Order
- Mobile Police Beats – $1.6 million in 2022-23 out of a $3.8 million total spend 25 new mobile police beats across the state
Environment & Tourism
- Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program $526,400 in 2022-23 to protect environmental and Indigenous cultural heritage values on the Gold Coast.
- The Spit Master Plan Implementation Program – $8.7 million in 2022-23 out of a $60 million total spend to upgrade the public facilities
- Lower Beechmont Community Facility – $618,800 in 2022-23 out of a $1.5 million total spend to construct a new community space to provide a safe haven assembly area in times of disaster
- Tallebudgera Creek Park – $320,000 in 2022-23 out of a $800,000 total spend to construct a new Changing Places toilet facility at Tallebudgera Creek Parkland
- Currumbin Eco-Parkland – $13.9 million in 2022-23 out of a $15 million total spend
- Via Ferrata – $42,700 in 2022-23 out of a $1.7 million total spend for construction of Australia’s first commercial cliff climbing system
