Summary
- $14.7 million in upgrades to St Paul’s and Kubin health centres on Moa Island will begin later this month.
- Works will improve ageing facilities, support local jobs and are expected to finish in late 2027.
Construction will start later this month on major upgrades to the St Paul’s and Kubin community primary health care centres on Moa Island, marking an important step in improving health facilities for both communities.
H.C Building and Construction has been appointed to deliver the $14.7 million upgrade as part of the fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan, delivering better health services for Queenslanders in the Torres Strait.
These works will upgrade ageing infrastructure and deliver a more functional, welcoming and accessible environment for staff and the community. The projects are expected to create local job opportunities for residents of the communities and the wider Torres Strait and are expected to be completed in late 2027, weather and other conditions permitting.
To help communities prepare for the works, community information sessions and meet the team events will be held at St Paul’s on 16 September and Kubin on 17 September.
These sessions will give residents an opportunity to learn more about the works and understand what to expect during construction, including how services will continue to operate during the redevelopment.
At St Paul’s community, a new primary health care centre will be delivered that will include a procedure room and two consultation rooms.
Existing, separate staff accommodation will be refurbished, with landscaping works to be undertaken as part of the project.
A temporary primary health care centre will be established on site to allow health services to continue while the existing facility is demolished and a new centre is constructed.
At the Kubin Primary Health Care Centre, the existing facility will be upgraded with a new enclosed waiting room, covered meeting area, enclosed entry and new access ramp.
The health promotion conference room will also receive a new roof and covered meeting area, while other works will include a deck extension, enclosure of the upper-level balcony, full internal and external repainting, and landscaping.
TCHHS Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke said the projects would deliver important improvements for communities, patients and staff on Moa Island.
“The Timely Investment Infrastructure Maintenance (TIIM) funding is allowing us to invest in essential upgrades that will improve the patient experience, support better service delivery, and help us attract and retain staff in both communities,” he said.
“These projects are an important investment in the future of health care on Moa Island and will provide more contemporary and functional facilities for the St Paul’s and Kubin communities.”
Executive General Manager North Marita Sagigi said the community information sessions would play an important role in helping residents and staff understand the works.
“As construction begins, it is important that our communities know what is happening, what changes to expect and how services will continue during the redevelopment.
“These sessions are an opportunity for community members to meet the team, ask questions and learn more about the project, while also giving us a chance to listen and respond to residents’ questions.
“Our staff do an outstanding job delivering care, often in challenging circumstances, and these projects will provide improved facilities to support them in their work,” she said.
“We thank staff and community members for their patience, flexibility and support as construction gets underway, and we are committed to minimising disruption while continuing to provide care.”