BUILDING work on the multi-million dollar Redland Bay satellite hospital - promised ahead of the 2020 state election - is set to begin early next year.
The state government has revealed it will spend $40 million on the clinic, which is to be built on a 1.4 hectare block at Meissner Street in the Weinam Creek Priority Development area.
It is one of seven satellite facilities to be built across the state and will operate as a mini-hospital, offering services including renal dialysis, chemotherapy, complex wound management and urgent care.
The Redlands clinic was pitched by the state government as an extra health service for the southern Redlands and bay islands in October 2020, just weeks out from the election.
It is also meant to ease pressure on Redland Hospital at Cleveland, which has recently come under fire for ramping, long emergency wait times and understaffing.
The development will see Redlands Sea Dragons boating club moved from their current home - which is at the proposed hospital site - to a floodplain at Moores Road.
Club representative Susan Hanrahan said the club had no qualms about moving, as they had been aware it was coming for about two years.
"It has changed from being a high-level residential (development) to the satellite hospital," she said.
"Council is doing our relocation and building our shed."
Ms Hanrahan said the club, which has 53 members, would not have to fork out costs for the move.
Russell Island Development Association president Ian Olsson said he feared the move would put more pressure on parking at Moores Road.
"At times, there may be a need for parking early on a Saturday morning or something like that (for a competition), and the car park may be full," he said.
"Alternatively people may be going over to the islands to see their loved ones, and you may get an extra pressure on that car park because of people connected with the Sea Dragons facility."
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the satellite hospital builds would support 768 construction jobs, including 116 in the Redlands.
It comes as Queensland company Hutchinson Builders are appointed managing contractors of the satellite hospitals program.
"Construction works for the Redland Bay facility are planned to commence in early 2022, with the facility expected to be operational and servicing local residents in 2023," Ms D'Ath said.
Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said the satellite clincis would help manage demand on the state's health system. "Our satellite hospitals mean locals don't have to leave their own community," he said.
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