‘World-Class’ $750m Cancer Hospital Unveiled for Brisbane

The Queensland government has announced it will build a $750-million specialist cancer hospital in Brisbane's inner north as part of its pre-Budget announcements.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Cancer Centre would be built in the Herston Quarter health precinct and would be one of the best cancer care centres in the world. 

“There are approximately 31,000 cancer diagnoses and more than 9400 deaths in Queensland each year,” Palaszczuk said.

“This new hospital will ensure Queenslanders have access to cutting-edge technologies, the latest treatments and world-leading facilities to give our pateints the best possible chance when faced with cancer.” 

The Queensland Cancer Centre, in the Herston Health Precinct at Brisbane’s Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, will have 150 beds with access to a multi-disciplinary team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, and allied health professionals.

It will be built within the Herston Quarter Priority Development Area, a 6ha site earmarked for redevelopment to include health facilities alongside retirement living, residential accommodation, childcare, retail and restaurants.

The standalone cancer hospital is tipped to create more than 2000 construction jobs.

Health minister Yvette D’Ath said the concept design had been completed and that scoping and consultation was under way.

“This major development will allow us to provide the best care and treatment to double the number of people,” she said.

“It will deliver a chemotherapy service, outpatient consult rooms, multiple operating theatres, and a pathology and pharmacy service.

“It will also include a full range of research, education and training facilities, which will support continued and strengthened partnerships with the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.”

Healthcare development has ramped up after the  pandemic and more institutional investors have jumped into the alternate asset class for its sticky tenants and yield compression. 

Treasurer Cameron Dick said investing in the right infrastructure, technology and resources would be a vital part of this month’s state budget.

“The pandemic showed us the vital link between a strong health system and a strong economy,” he said.

“Investments in our health system will be a central focus of our budget.”