Greater health care on horizon

Construction on the next health facility for the area started today, as the sod was turned at the site of the new Meadowbrook Health Centre on Nestor Drive.

The facility, slated for completion in 2024, will include public and private health services in a bid to address growing demand in the city.

A new Logan Urgent and Specialist Care Centre (LUSCC) – catering to minor injury and illness – will operate from the facility alongside a dedicated women’s health service run by Logan Hospital.

The Australian Government will provide $33.4 million through its Community Health and Hospitals Program for the LUSCC, which will be operated by Metro South Health.

The Meadowbrook Health Centre is being delivered by Office Park Developments (OPD).

It will facilitate a day hospital including multiple operating theatres, oncology services, private practice suites and specialist medical services, with expressions of interest for future tenants now open.

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.

“Council is passionate about seeing better health investment in our city, which is why I continue to advocate for closer collaboration between ourselves, the Australian and Queensland Governments and the private sector.

“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.”

Federal Treasurer and Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers said the project is a ‘gamechanger for our local area’.

“It means better healthcare, quicker and closer to home for thousands of people in our community,” The Treasurer said.

“The people of Logan and surrounding areas deserve the same access to timely, high quality care that’s available in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and through this project, we’re helping to deliver it.

“To keep pace with demand, we need to invest in new infrastructure.

“This new centre will ease pressure on the emergency department at Logan Hospital and (given the specialist services that will be offered), it will give women in our community easier access to quality care.”

The Minister for Public Works and Procurement and Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said boosting local capacity with this initiative shows how the Queensland and Australian Governments are delivering equitable healthcare for all.

“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, the Minister said.

“Local families deserve the highest standard of care, which is why the Palaszczuk Government is investing more than $1 billion in expanding Logan Hospital, as part of this major health precinct.”

Construction of the Meadowbrook Health Centre follows the opening of the nearby Meadowbrook Medical Centre on Logandowns Drive in 2021, which provides services including GP visits and immunisation and is partially occupied by UQ Health.

Logan City Council is also assessing a development application by Australian Unity for 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.

Logan City Council works to improve pedestrian access through Meadowbrook are complementing and connecting the expanding number of health services in the area.

Stage 1 of Council’s $5.4 million Loganlea Road Healthy Street project, funded through Council’s Meadowbrook Implementation Fund, included a new off-street shared pathway, shade structures, public art, landscaping and a signalised pedestrian crossing between Logan Hospital and Meadowbrook Shopping Centre.

The project received $2.4 million from the Queensland Government’s Unite and Recover Fund.

Loganlea and Meadowbrook were also allocated $45m for movement and accessibility investments as part of the SEQ City Deal struck between the local, state and federal governments in March 2022.

Projects associated with this funding are likely to commence this year.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

Economic Development Chair Councillor Jon Raven said Council was eager to see high quality health developments in Meadowbrook that address gaps in local healthcare.

“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.”

Division 6 Councillor Tony Hall said Council would continue to seek more high quality, accessible healthcare options for local families.

“The more our community grows, the more important it is to have health services on our doorstep,” Cr Hall said.

“I am pleased to see Council’s vision of a strong health and wellness precinct for our city continue to grow.”

OPD Director Bill Henderson said the project was a great outcome for local people.

“We also look forward to engaging with the public and private health sectors (and) bringing additional services into the building,” Mr Henderson said.

“I have no doubt that this facility will indeed help close any gaps in health that currently exist across the Logan area.”