08 Jun New health era on way for Charters Towers

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has called for both the State and Federal Government to fast-track funding to the Charters Towers Hospital for a satellite dialysis unit, CT scanner and the refurbishment of the Eventide Aged Care Facility.

All three works have been identified as “market-ready” priority projects as part of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s (THHS) COVID-19 Recovery – Proposed Infrastructure Program, which was released last week.

The CT scanner installation would cost around $3.5 million, the establishment of the dialysis unit around $2 million and the work on Eventide about $2.6 million.

If funded, all three projects could be completed by the end of 2021; they would generate 41 full-time-equivalent jobs overall and would inject around $13 million into the local economy.

The short-term projects form part of a broader $172.1 million investment in Charters Towers health services, with a $164 million re-build of the Charters Towers Hospital also planned within the next four years.

Queensland Health is proposing to deliver a new-build, contemporary, purpose designed CSCF Level 3 hospital. It’s understood this will be adjacent to the Eventide Aged Care Facility.

Mr Katter said the prioritisation of these works would bring Charters Towers into the 21st century and vastly improve quality of life and health outcomes for all living in the district, including Pentland, Homestead, Hughenden and Richmond and Greenvale.

He said the upgrades were long overdue, and that much lobbying in recent years and also prior to his time as the local State Member had contributed to progressing the cause.

In particular Mr Katter thanked the members of the Charters Towers Dialysis Support and Lobby Group, who for the past year had tirelessly lobbied and fundraised for a local renal unit to be established.

“I am delighted to see such strong support from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, they have now sent these recommendations down to Brisbane and it is time for us to see some money put on the table,” the Traeger MP said.

“The COVID-19 Recovery – Proposed Infrastructure Program identified a lot of works in Townsville as well as Ayr and Ingham, but by far Charters Towers has been flagged as the regional centre most in need of investment and we are wanting to see this honoured when it comes to writing the cheques.

“Next week I will be knocking on the door of the Health Minister to discuss the Charters Towers works in person and ensuring he is aware of the sub-par service people in the town have been putting up with for too long.”

Mr Katter said the Palaszczuk Government had promised to re-build Queensland post the COVID-19 shutdown, and he was keen to see them follow through on their word.