In the lead-up to the State Election, Townsville Enterprise is urging all sides of politics to commit over $578 million to upgrade the region's healthcare infrastructure, solidifying Townsville as the healthcare super hub of Northern Australia.
Healthcare is one of the key priorities in Townsville Enterprise’s Unlock the North State Election Priorities document.
The 11 funding asks within the document include:
- $300 million for a new Charters Towers hospital to provide safer, higher-quality services to the local community.
- $130 million for a Residential Aged Care Facility in Charters Towers, this will replace the existing facility which is significantly aged and prevents delivery of modern aged-care services to residents.
- $63 million to expand mental health capacity, including construction of a community health facility.
- $30 million for a new integrated health center on Magnetic Island.
- $21 million to be available for upgrades in Ayr and Ingham Hospitals to provide local CT scanning and improved energy services closer to home, reducing transfers to Townsville University Hospitals.
- $20 million to establish the North Queensland Spinal Unit – providing services to North Queensland that are currently only available in Brisbane.
- $6 million for expansion of North Queensland maternity services.
- $5 million for the installation of a robotic pharmacy solution.
- $2.5 million to support development of the preliminary business case for an integrated mental health hub.
- $500,000 in operational funding to establish a deep drain stimulation service (DBS). Providing life-changing treatment for people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
- Formal designation of Townsville University Hospital (TUH) as the North Queensland hub of the Queensland Cancer Centre (QCC).
Claudia Brumme-Smith, CEO of Townsville Enterprise, emphasised that this investment is essential for maintaining a liveable region and ensuring the future of the local workforce.
“Healthcare is not just a service; it’s a lifeline. It plays a crucial role in deciding where people settle, raise their families, and build their lives,” said Ms. Brumme-Smith.
“The health outcomes in rural areas lag far behind metropolitan regions. This puts immense strain on Townsville Hospital, which is tasked with delivering critical healthcare to a vast population stretching across Northern Australia.”
“Townsville Hospital and Health Service is planning and innovating to meet the growing demand. We have outlined 11 clear and necessary asks this election, including funding for a new hospital in Charters Towers, expanded mental health capacity, an integrated health centre on Magnetic Island, advanced services like deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s patients and an NQ spinal unit, robotic pharmacy solutions, and expanded maternity services.”
“The healthcare challenges faced by our community aren’t just economic—they’re deeply personal. Whether it’s cancer treatment, Parkinson’s care, or mental health services, being able to access treatment close to home is vital. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about better outcomes for patients.”
“These initiatives will save lives and improve patient outcomes, but they also make our region more liveable and help to attract the talent we need to grow.”
Charters Towers Deputy Mayor Cr Kate Hastie voiced the urgency for a new hospital in her community.
“Our current facilities are outdated and unable to meet modern standards. Our community deserves better,” said Cr Hastie .
Cr Hastie also described the hardships faced by residents in outlying areas, who must often travel to Townsville for essential medical care.
“People in the Charters Towers region and other western communities are frequently forced to make long trips for life-saving treatments. This not only places extra pressure on Townsville Hospital but also makes it harder to attract workers, retain families in the area, and secure future investments.”
With major projects like CopperString and the Singapore Defence Agreement driving population growth, Cr Hastie said the need for healthcare investment is only becoming more pressing.
For Hannah, a mother of five from Charters Towers, the absence of local birthing facilities added a layer of stress to an already overwhelming experience.
“I birthed all of my children in the Townsville General Hospital, but my antenatal care was here in Charters Towers.”
“The midwives here want you to relocate to Townsville before the 38 week mark of pregnancy. The implications of that are difficult, my husband has to leave work, we have to arrange care for our other children, we have to find accommodation, pay for meals away from home, and the travel costs as well.”
“If I were able to birth here in Charters Towers it would have been a much more positive and supportive experience”
“The Midwives and staff in Charters Towers are amazing. Being able to birth with them after creating such a special bond during my antenatal care would have been wonderful. Just when you need their support the most we are forced to relocate elsewhere.”
“For mothers and families, it’s difficult, mentally and emotionally to have to be away from home. You want to be home, in familiar surroundings with your support network, and instead we were living out of suitcases for weeks, it just shouldn’t be this way.”
“It becomes very expensive to relocate. There is a small reimbursement available to help with travel and accommodation but we still have to pay the costs upfront. The financial burden is very stressful on families when you are already trying to prepare for the birth of your child.”
For more information visit: Unlock the North - State Election 2024 | Townsville Enterprise
