Bundaberg, a coastal city in Queensland known for its local sugar industry, is preparing to welcome a new, modern health facility. Billard Leece Partnership (BLP), a firm with a strong reputation in design and innovation with an emphasis on human experience, has been appointed to the project.

This appointment, made in collaboration with COX Architecture and as part of a joint effort with CPB Contractors, marks BLP’s notable return to Queensland projects after a 15-year interval. The Queensland Government has chosen BLP for the preliminary stage of this AUD$1.2 billion  initiative, implying the project’s significance in the region’s health infrastructure.

The proposed hospital design showcases a six-storey structure aiming to offer a range of services, from acute care to mental health support. The facility will also include emergency and clinical support services, supported by essential infrastructure. This new development is integral to the Queensland Government’s AUD$9.78 billion Queensland Health and Hospitals Plan (Capacity Expansion Program).

BLP’s managing director, Tara Veldman describes the project as one that would greatly improve the wider region’s health infrastructure. “It is a privilege to contribute to the delivery of the new Bundaberg Hospital,” she says.

BLP’s history showcases successful partnerships, especially with CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors, as seen in the Campbelltown Hospital Redevelopment in NSW. Veldman adds, “[BLP and CPB’s] shared vision aims to establish a modern, future-proofed health facility…” – with the goal to create a facility catering to Bundaberg’s immediate community and the broader Wide Bay-Burnett region.

For Bundaberg, this project signifies more than just a new hospital; it represents a transition towards becoming a major healthcare provider for the region, significantly expanding health services available to the residents of Bundaberg and increasing the wider region’s capacity to respond to pressure on its health infrastructure, similar to that experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Billard Leece Partnership
blp.com.au

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