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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Gold Coast University Hospital |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 10 2008 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
Question:
Mr LAWLOR:
My question is to the Minister for Health. Could the minister inform the House what the government is doing to assist the relocation of landowners and leaseholders affected by the development of new Gold Coast University Hospital at Parklands?
Answer:
Mr ROBERTSON:
I thank the member for the question. This is what representing the Gold Coast is actually all about: asking questions such as this. In order to progress the timely development of the new Gold Coast University Hospital, site access is required by 1 September this year to allow certain site works in advance of construction commencing in 2009. Several facilities managed by the Parklands
Trust are required to be relocated from the site of the new hospital to alternative locations. I am pleased to say that agreement has been reached with the Parklands Trust and work is now underway to support those facilities to relocate with minimal disruption to their activities.
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning and Queensland Health are currently finalising the acquisition of the Gold Coast University Hospital site. Included in the process is the relocation of the Church of Christ and the Salvation Army, who are existing leaseholders. Agreement has been reached with the Church of Christ regarding its permanent relocation to an alternative site within the local area on land currently owned by Griffith University at Olsen Avenue. While the site will not be available for a few months, interim arrangements have been made for the childcare centre to be located temporarily on land managed by the Parklands Trust. This will allow the church to continue to operate without interruption to its child-care facilities, which I know provide an important
service to the local community. Many Queensland Health staff have worked tirelessly for this solution, as have those in other departments and, of course, the local member, Peter Lawlor. It is a great example of how the Bligh government, local members of parliament and the community can work together to come
up with a solution to issues surrounding the planning for the Gold Coast University Hospital.
Currently, the Salvation Army has its warehouse and rehabilitation facility on land designated for the new hospital. The government has purchased a property at Molendinar to provide a new base for
the Salvation Army as the new Gold Coast University Hospital site is progressively vacated. The 4,050 square metre industrial property at Precision Drive offers a better home for the army's warehouse and
distribution operations. The government was involved in amicable negotiations with the Salvation Army over some time to find a suitable new site for its operations and the $3.4 million purchase of the Molendinar property is a win for both parties. The Salvation Army provides an amazing service in the region and it can now start planning for the relocation to Molendinar, where it will continue under similar tenure arrangements to the current site. I am advised that the site offers better facilities and more flexibility for the Salvation Army to run its very important community services. Negotiations with the group continue regarding its drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, which is also currently based at the
Parklands site. This indicates that we are getting on with the job of delivering the new $1 billion-plus university hospital for one of the most important regions of the state. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:35 AM
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