Hospital bonanza for Bribie Island

A new emergency care health clinic and day hospital will be built on Bribie Island following approval from Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Mayor Peter Flannery said council had agreed to defer development charges for the private developer, so construction could start sooner.

It comes after the state Labor party unveiled a $265 million plan that, if re-elected, would see new satellite hospitals at Petrie, Caboolture and Bribie Island

Service key

The Vaid Family Trust, of husband and wife Arti and Raahul from GP clinic Bribie Doctors, have been working with council since May 28, 2019 to ensure the service and scale of the emergency care health clinic and day hospital would be suitable for the island.

Dr Raahul Vaid said it would be built at Lot 8 Bongaree Avenue, close to the bus interchange for accessibility and behind the Bribie Island Shopping Centre.

Mayor Peter Flannery says: “This is a practical way for us to get tradies on the tools in Bribie to unlock ongoing employment opportunities at the medical centre across a range of fields from dentistry and radiography, through to reception, cleaning and even retail.

“The development application provides for specialist consultant rooms, office spaces and a 335sq m central plaza with food and drink outlets on the ground floor.

Care units

There would also be 78 aged care units, community facilities, a rooftop park and community garden as well as 100 undercover car parking spaces

Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) says the emergency care health clinic and day hospital “was important for island residents” so they can access health services as close to home.

“It means locals won’t have to go all the way to Caboolture, they’ll be able to receive health services in a more convenient setting close to home and family,” Cr Savige says.

“The need for greater investment in health services and infrastructure on Bribie Island is absolutely clear.

“It’s reassuring to know our health system will continue to meet the growing demand for services and take pressure off nearby major hospitals.”

Huge support

The application was subject to Code Assessment, so no formal public notification was required.

However Council received significant community support in the form of a petition (almost 499 signatories) which noted: “This is a long awaited requirement for the Bribie Island community, an Emergency Care Clinic and Day Hospital would benefit so many in the community”.

For further detail on the plans of the approved hospital development, visit: here

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