THE state government is refusing to say when a $10.3million mental health facility, left idle since it was built in Redland Bay in 2012, will open.
The 20-bed Bayside Community Care Unit, on the corner of Main and Boundary streets, Redland Bay, was due to open at the beginning of 2012.
However, a series of problems, including the construction company going into voluntary administration in March 2013, have plagued the project.
Initially, Queensland Health blamed the company, National Buildplan Group Pty Ltd, saying its financial woes delayed the final fit-out.
But in February, the Health department said the opening was delayed while state-of-the-art computers and software were installed.
There were also teething problems with a geothermal heating and cooling system, designed to save up to 60 per cent of electricity costs.
In March this year, the facility failed a fire and safety check after pumps, which operate water sprinklers, did not meet Queensland Fire and Emergency Services standards.
This week, the government refused to answer questions on how much money had been spent over the past two years maintaining the unoccupied facility.
Metro South Health Addiction and Mental Health Services acting executive director Katie Eckersley said the opening was delayed while building “defects” were fixed.
Ms Eckersley said the state awarded a second construction company the contract to complete the works, which started in October 2013.
She said the Health department was managing the completion of the facility, which will be handed to Metro South Health District when finished.
“Once the facility is handed over, Metro South Health will commence the commissioning period to prepare the facility for consumers to move in,” she said.
“For security reasons, caretakers are living in the building until the facility is ready to be operational.
“The Department of Health is responsible for the construction costs and Metro South Health is covering the caretaker costs.”
Complaints about the complex’s construction have plagued the site since Queensland Health bought the 6440sq m block in October 2009 and first announced plans for the adult mental health care unit.
Tenders for the fixed-price $6.3million contract to build the Bayside Community Care Unit were advertised in June 2011, when builders were told construction was due to start in September that year with the complex to be completed in 2012.
Preliminary designs showed nine duplex-style units sited around a main building, with all access to the complex from Main Street.
The complex, which includes common rooms and parking, will provide accommodation for mental health patients who are on recovery programs.
