MCU approved for new 22-bed private hospital
Date published: 20 December 2017
Townsville City Council Chief Executive Officer Adele Young has approved a Material Change of Use application to allow for the old West End State School to be redeveloped into a health care facility and 22-bed private hospital.
The proposal includes redeveloping the former school building into a health care facility, constructing a five-storey hospital adjacent to the school building and providing a minimum of 104 car parking spaces – which includes the removal of a dwelling on the site.
Ms Young said the Weststate Private Hospital project was an example of adaptive re-use in one of the city’s heritage buildings.
“The Townsville West State School building has been vacant for a number of years, so it’s great to see it being repurposed to provide further choice to the Townsville community.”
Ms Young said despite the successful MCU application, further approvals would be necessary before work could commence on the project.
The $54 million development is expected to create 120 jobs during construction. It’s also expected to inject $20 million into the local economy annually and provide 100 jobs once operational.
Ms Young said Council would look to review the City Plan to support and strengthen the city’s health precincts.
“This decision is a good outcome for providing more choice to the community but Council is not walking away from its dedicated health precincts,” she said.
“Council will look to review the City Plan to find opportunities to support and strengthen our health precincts.”
The decision on the Weststate Private Hospital was referred to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer following Mayor Jenny Hill and Councillors declaring a potential conflict of interest after companies associated with the developer donated to the Team Hill campaign.
