Major Queensland health projects hit with delays and cost blowouts

At least a dozen of the Queensland government’s key health projects have been delayed by up to two and a half years or have been hit with cost blowouts. New documents reveal the budget for the affected projects has risen by $51 million to a total of $2.29 billion. These affected projects include a new $1.2 billion hospital in Bundaberg and the Gold Coast University Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation unit. Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman blamed high inflation, the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine for contributing to cost and supply chain pressures. “I am committed to transparency and accountability as we deliver the health big build,” she said.