Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes says she is pleased Cooktown’s $200 million hospital upgrade, which is now due for completion in 2029-30, has survived a review into the state’s hospital expansion capacity. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The planned $200 million upgrade of Cooktown’s hospital has survived a review into the state’s hospital expansion capacity but the delivery timeframe mooted by the former Labor government was “never achievable”, according to Member for Cook David Kempton.
The State Government released the findings and recommendations of the independent review in late April, and while the much-needed Cooktown Hospital project has not been flagged for the chopping block, Mr Kempton said completion was now not scheduled until the 2029-30 financial year.
“The $200m upgrade of Cooktown Hospital is an election commitment of the Crisafulli LNP government, and a key election commitment made by me prior to the October election,” he said.
“The timeline completion date of 2027-2028 advised by the ALP government was never achievable, as the project was neither funded nor planned.”
Former health minister Shannon Fentiman told Cape York Weekly in August 2024 “major construction works are scheduled for completion by 2027-28” on the project after it was initially announced less than three months earlier as not being finished in 2031.
Mr Kempton said the government had “progressed with the upgrade” and that “once a managing contractor is appointed, the project will progress to design completion and then to construction”.
“During the design process over the coming months, the project team will engage with stakeholders and the community to ensure the project reflects the diverse community and provides safe and welcoming services closer to home,” he said.
“The current timeline for completion of the project is 2029-30, depending on weather, site conditions and any other construction impacts that may be encountered.”
Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes said she was pleased the Cooktown Hospital upgrade had survived the review.
“It’s good to see that it is moving forward for the community with the commitment from the change in government,” she said.
“I think it was a really positive outcome that we weren’t affected by it (the review).”
