July 13, 2023
Recent data has shown the large accumulation of maintenance required across North Queensland hospitals, with Charters Towers Hospital at the top of that list.
It has been reported off the back of a question on notice that in 2021 the required maintenance for the Charters Towers Hospital was at a cost of $5.6 million, whilst in 2023 the required maintenance had jumped to $15.25 million.
Katter’s Australian Party leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said that time and time again we see rural health being put on the backburner by the state government while they focus on delivering the Olympic Games and more seats for the Gabba.
“The big question to ask here is what would the difference in these figures be with a new hospital?”
“At what point do we keep spending money on old buildings and invest in a new facility, give the community what they want and need.
Mr Katter outlined that it didn’t take much to realise that at this rate, the required maintenance on the Charters Towers Hospital approaches the cost to deliver a new one.
“The Charters Towers community and I have been rallying for a new hospital.
“There has been a growing sentiment in the Charters Towers community for a new facility
“Mostly though we want to keep up with the rest of the state and not be left behind.
“Sections of the hospital are 140 years old.
“The town is expanding, and it needs healthcare to match.
“I’m not sure how the government can watch the required maintenance cost blow out to that extent without realising that in the long run a new hospital may just be the cheaper option.
“At the end of the day the government needs to cap what they are spending on the Olympics and let the rural areas in Queensland catch up in health before another cent is spent on indulgences in the city.