A first-look at the Mackay Base Hospital expansion has been released today with the hospital masterplan unveiled, bringing the upgrade one step closer.

The Queensland Government is delivering a major expansion to the Mackay Hospital under the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan for health services when Queenslanders need them.

The masterplan is the new long-term blueprint for the future of one of Queensland’s busiest regional hospitals, delivering a plan for the upgrade to meet the needs of the growing region.

The Queensland Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan Stage 1 expansion for Mackay will deliver 128 new hospital beds, birthing services, enhanced neonatal and paediatric services, more operating theatres, and a bigger emergency department.

The Queensland Government has reset the project with a staged masterplan that provides a clear pipeline of investment, ensuring Mackay Base Hospital can grow alongside one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions.

The Mackay Base Hospital Expansion forms part of the Queensland Government’s fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan – the largest investment in hospital infrastructure in Queensland’s history.

Main construction works will commence in 2027, with all Stage 1 packages to be delivered by 2030, which includes:

• At least 128 new overnight beds
• Expanded emergency, maternity, birthing, surgical, endoscopy, neonatal and paediatric services
• A new Mackay Birth Centre
• More than 1,000 new car parks
• A rooftop helipad.

The masterplan will restore confidence in local maternity care by delivering expanded maternity and birthing services, a new Mackay Birth Centre, and enhanced neonatal and paediatric services, ensuring more families across Mackay and the Greater Whitsunday region can access the care they need closer to home.

The masterplan builds on work already underway at Mackay Base Hospital, including recommissioning the on-site helipad to restore direct helicopter transfers for critically ill and injured patients.

Construction has also commenced on a temporary 80-space fleet car park, freeing up more parking for patients, visitors and staff once complete.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Hospital Rescue Plan was delivering health services when Queenslanders needed them most.

“This is about delivering more free healthcare than ever before, and a hospital to meet the needs of the growing Mackay and the Greater Whitsunday region,” Premier Crisafulli said.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Queensland Government was delivering more than 2,600 new hospital beds with the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan.

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the masterplan was the next step in delivering the hospital expansion needed for Mackay.

“For the first time, Mackay has a genuine long-term plan for the future of its hospital, giving our community confidence that the health services we need will be delivered as our region continues to grow,” Mr Dalton said.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said the masterplan would benefit communities right across the Greater Whitsunday region.

“Families across the Whitsundays deserve access to world-class healthcare, and this masterplan delivers a clear pathway to expand services at Mackay Base Hospital so our growing region has the health infrastructure it needs for decades to come,” Ms Camm said.