Australian Unity sets sights on Meadowbrook, Qld for future health precinct

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Australian Unity has signed an option agreement with Riverina (Australia) Pty Limited to acquire 18 Nestor Drive, Meadowbrook, a prominent site located directly opposite Logan Hospital, for $11.56 million.

The property is the proposed site of a multi-faceted healthcare precinct with development plans including a new private hospital, medical centre, medical office space, aged care facility, and health education service.

Logan Hospital is the major public health facility for one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in greater Brisbane and provides a range of specialty services including acute medical, surgical, rehabilitation, maternity, cardiology, orthopedics, renal and other specialty services for children and adults.

Chris Smith, General Manager of Healthcare Property at Australian Unity said the location of the site is ideal for private sector development due to its proximity to the public hospital, and that Australian Unity will work closely with key stakeholders to maximise the opportunity to service Logan City’s growing population.

“Australian Unity has a proven track record working with the public and private sectors to create healthcare precincts comprising a variety of complementary services, and we are looking forward to working with stakeholders across the precinct to deliver this project,” he said.

“Our focus continues to be on delivering value for investors by committing to longer-term opportunities to invest in healthcare infrastructure in places like Meadowbrook where community demand is growing strongly.”

Mr Smith said, when deployed efficiently, private capital is fundamental in contributing to critical social infrastructure assets that serve the community.

“In South Eastern Queensland, we have established a strong footprint in the development of state-of-the-art healthcare precincts, including the $1.1 billion Herston Quarter Redevelopment in Brisbane, and the recently completed Robina Private Hospital and Medical Centre in Robina,” Mr. Smith said.

“Since the onset of the pandemic we have also acquired a parcel of land in Birtinya, opposite the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the focal point of a growing healthcare precinct for the region”, he said.

According to Mr Smith, who manages a portfolio of 55 healthcare-related properties in Australian Unity’s Healthcare Property Trust, the development of healthcare precincts is the way of the future for the delivery of healthcare services for Australian communities.

“Australia’s health system is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world, and complementary health precincts are going to play an increasingly prominent role”, he said.

“Continued collaboration between the public and private health sectors, is critical to the ongoing success of our world-class health system and ensuring every Australian can access the care they need”, Mr Smith said.

Riverina will remain in the property up to 2023.

Logan Office of Economic Development / Logan City Council supports health and medical investment in the City of Logan. The Business case for Health and Medical Investment in the City of Logan commissioned in 2018 identified notable gaps in healthcare provision in the city, particularly noting the lack of a private hospital and ancillary services. Council and LOED have been actively working with stakeholders in the industry to attract necessary investment in healthcare and medical provision to benefit the residents of the City of Logan.

New Logan ‘medtropolis’ on track to become Australia’s largest suburban based medical precinct

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The development of one the country’s largest and most innovative suburban based medical precincts is set to commence.

“The Southwest Medical Precinct will be a significant development for the Logan region, and indeed for Greater Brisbane, and we are proud to announce that not only is the project now underway – we have also secured commitment from UQ Health Care for a 725m2 ground floor tenancy of the complex,” Matthew Cummins, the associate director from property development specialists DMA Partners, said today.

“This is such brilliant news for the complex which is due for completion in late 2021.”

UQ Health Care is a leading primary care, clinical innovation and research organisation owned by The University of Queensland. The new UQ Health Care site will provide an extensive range of health services, from the treatment of acute illness to preventive health services, including health assessments, chronic disease prevention/management, pregnancy and paediatric care, women’s and men’s health, work related injuries/assessments, vaccinations, travel health and much more. It will also provide essential training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, nurses and allied health.

“UQ Health Care will bring over 100,000 people to the centre every year. This combined with all the other retailers and businesses is going to make for a very busy precinct,” Cummins said.

Situated on a prominent corner of Logandowns Drive in the suburb of Meadowbrook, Logan, the new centre will be a multi-level facility comprising over 2,000m2 of mixed retail, medical and office space.

“There is a reason the Southwest Medical complex is already being coined a key component of the broader  ‘medtropolis’ – this centre is going to thrive and become a bustling centre for a broad range of health, wellness and other related products and services,” Benjamin Horwell, of the Horwell Group, said.

“It will also offer sit down and take away food options and a raft of other retailing options. The centre shares over 400 carparks with the neighbouring Meadowbrook Plaza Shopping Centre, providing free parking right up to the door front of many service providers.  The precinct will be a state-of-the-art hub for regional connections and community activity.”

The Southwest Medical Precinct, owned by Horwell Property Investments, is the final commercial development of a 100 hectare site first purchased by the Hoare family in 1986. The development is adjacent to the Woolworths-anchored Meadowbrook Plaza Shopping Centre and Caltex service station, both completed in 2015.

“The Southwest Medical Precinct is going to be one of the busiest community hubs in Logan once it is launched next year,” Cummins added.

“Many businesses and retailers are already expressing interest in the site which is testament to the level of anticipation and excitement surrounding the development. Sites and leases are currently available in the centre and opportunities are available for retail and complementary medical providers and specialists from 68m2 to 1,000m2.

“The centre is ideal for medical and allied health operators, health professionals and specialists, commercial office users and associated retailers. We also have scope for a café operator.”

“We are really pleased with the strong level of leasing interest. The addition of UQ Health Care to the centre supports our leasing strategy and anchors our health and lifestyle focused facility,” Horwell said.

Located 200m from Logan Hospital, and complemented by a strongly performing Woolworths supermarket, the centre will offer its tenants and customers unrivalled exposure and convenience.

Just minutes from the Logan Motorway and M1, and surrounded by multiple major bus and train stops, this bustling medical precinct will be a one-stop-shop for locals of the surrounding region.

“Imagine the functionality and convenience for families and workers who will be able to access important health and wellness services locally and shop for lifestyle and grocery needs in one complex,” Horwell said.

“Not to mention all the jobs the precinct will create. This development really is a good news story at a time when the whole country needs some positive uplifting.”

The Southwest Medical Precinct development has generated significant enthusiasm and support across the area with many people seeing it as a positive sign of life returning to normal post COVID.

“The design by Cottee Parker Architects is modern and fresh, and the abundance of free parking means the centre will be accessible and convenient to all. The medical complex will also act as an overflow for the neighbouring Logan Hospital, which means those across the area will be able to access the medical services they need and deserve,” Horwell said.

“The development builds on Logan City Council’s vision within the Meadowbrook Master Plan, to be a Health and Knowledge Precinct for the city. We commend council for their forward-thinking outlook for Meadowbrook. They have been investing in the future of the city through significant funding and also planning and place making projects including the Loganlea Road Healthy Street project and a public art/creative lighting strategy and projects.

“Southwest Medical Precinct will be the new heartbeat of Logan. We are looking forward to progressing the development and welcoming new businesses and retailers in preparation for our launch late next year.”

Leasing enquiries: DMA Partners – 07 3234 4300.

Project Website

Major Logan Hospital expansion tenders released​​​​​​​

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The major Logan Hospital Expansion is continuing to progress and is one step closer to delivering more health care for the Logan community.

Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said tenders to deliver Logan Hospital’s $460 million expansion have been released, kickstarting two projects that will support more than 1000 jobs during construction.

The Invitation to Offer (ITO) for both the hospital expansion and the maternity upgrade were issued to shortlisted companies after an open market expression of the interest process was finalised last month for each project.

Ms Fentiman said the ITO releases were an exciting milestone for the expansion, which will deliver an additional 206 beds and treatment spaces as well as upgraded services across the hospital.

“The Logan community is growing rapidly, and the Queensland Government is supporting this growth through a major investment in health infrastructure,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This is one of Queensland’s largest ever hospital expansions and will ensure that locals receive the best care, close to home.”

Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the expansion was the signature piece of a wider infrastructure improvements program being delivered at Logan Hospital over five years, including an upgraded maternity service and a new multi-level carpark.

“Birthing pools and overnight facilities for partners will be part of a major $18.87 million upgrade to Logan Hospital’s maternity service,” Mr Dick said.

“Metro South Health has been working closely with mums, families and clinicians to complete a detailed design for the upgrade, which has been planned to minimise the impacts on services during the upgrade.

“Because we’re upgrading the service in a live hospital environment, we needed to plan this project in meticulous detail, and now we’re in a position to finalise procurement, ready for construction.”

“The project will deliver six additional maternity inpatient beds, five extra birthing suites, and an expanded special care nursery.

“The community have also told us they want access to water birthing, so I’m thrilled we’re providing this option, and for the first time there’ll be facilities for partners to stay overnight, which is great for local families,” he said.

“As a former Queensland Health Minister I’m delighted the Palaszczuk Labor Government is delivering the biggest expansion in the hospital’s history, which will serve our community well for many years to come.”

Member for Logan Linus Power said the project will see one of the hospital’s main buildings rise by four stories and the open-air ground level built in – increasing the capacity of the hospital by almost half.

“We will also upgrade and expand existing clinical and support areas including the emergency department, mental health, intensive care, endoscopy and coronary care units,” Mr Power said.

“As well as the boost to healthcare services, the scale of the project meant there would be significant employment opportunities for local tradies and subcontractors, and into the future, more healthcare workers.

“The Queensland Government is focused on getting people back to work as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19, and this major project will support that through local jobs.”

Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said the maternity upgrade is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to providing more and better services, no matter where you live.

“This upgrade will deliver the modern facilities our community deserves, to ensure families in our growing region have the best possible care available to them, close to home,” Ms McMahon said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has already delivered a $1.5 million Mental Health Lounge within the emergency department for patients experiencing mental health concerns, as well as a $9 million 28-bed medical ward.”

Detailed design on the major expansion project commenced last month and a series of infrastructure upgrades with be undertaken over the rest of the year, with work to start on the main construction in 2021.

Construction for the maternity upgrade project is due to start September 2020.

For more information on the project visit health.qld.gov.au/loganexpansion

UQ Health commits to Southwest Medical Precinct

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DMA Partners have secured a commitment from UQ Health for a 725m² ground floor tenancy anchoring the new Southwest Medical complex at Meadowbrook, with their new flagship medical centre due for completion in late 2021.

UQ Health Care is a leading primary care, clinical innovation and research organisation owned by The University of Queensland. UQ Health Care works in partnership with patients, medical and allied health professionals, researchers, health policy makers and the community to find better ways to address contemporary healthcare needs.

Situated on a prominent corner of Logandowns Drive, the new build Southwest Medical Precinct is a multi-level facility comprising over 2,000m² of retail, medical and office space. Located 200m from Logan Hospital, a strong performing Woolworths supermarket and major public and private transport networks, the centre will offer its tenants and customers unrivalled exposure and convenience.

Opportunities remain for retail and complimentary medical providers and specialists from 68m² to 1,000m². The centre will be suitable for medical and allied health operators, health professionals and specialists, commercial office users and associated retailers.

DMA Partners will deliver the project on behalf of the Horwell Group after initially being engaged to determine the best possible development outcome for the vacant site in Meadowbrook.

Read more about Southwest Medical Precinct here.

Logan wins on key infrastructure

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Christmas has come early in the City of Logan after new funding was announced by the State and Federal governments for two major infrastructure projects that have long been on Logan City Council’s wish list.

The Loganlea train station will be relocated as part of a $95 million project, while a $20 million business case will be developed for the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail line.

A further $94.3 million for M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades (to be shared between the Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill, Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes to Tugun stretches) will be provided earlier than previously announced.

In addition, both governments have reached an agreement on the $9.3 billion Inland Rail project, paving the way for the delivery of the project in Queensland. Council continues to seek a commitment of accountability around environmental impacts such as noise, vibration and dust – and for those impacts to be carefully considered and appropriately mitigated.

The funding is part of a total $1.9 billion road and rail package for Queensland. It was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane.

The Federal Government will bring forward almost $650 million in funding and provide more than $680 million in new funding, while the State Government is committing $606 million.

Logan projects to receive funding

  • Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail business case (total $20 million, split 50/50 between State and Federal governments)
  • Relocate Loganlea train station (total $95 million, $50 million from Federal Government, $45 million from State Government)
  • Pacific Motorway (a total of $94.3 million of Federal funding will be brought forward for the Eight Mile Plains-Daisy Hill; Daisy Hill-Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes-Tugun sections)

Loganlea Train Station Relocation

Logan City Council has long been advocating for the relocation of Loganlea Train station. Relocating and upgrading the Loganlea Train Station is critical to the future growth of Meadowbrook as a world class health and education precinct, and for the liveability of the area for local residents. An integrated transport hub will provide increased connectivity to an upgraded Logan Hospital, and improved connections to the TAFE campus and Loganlea State High School.

Following feedback from the community and relevant stakeholders at the Meadowbrook Summit in 2018, advocacy for the relocation of the station was listed as an action in the Meadowbrook Implementation Plan (Action 37). The relocated station is also depicted in the Meadowbrook Master Plan.

The current station was already scheduled for required upgrades to conform with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This additional funding will allow a new station to be built that is both accessible and connected, and can also accommodate future upgrades of the proposed Kuraby to Beenleigh Capacity Improvement Project. $15 million has also been pledged by the Federal Government for a new carpark for the station, as part of their 2019 election campaign.

More information