Two of Queensland’s most important health services will have a new base in Mount Isa, providing the city and North-West Queensland with a vital aeromedical hub.
The first sod was today turned on the new $31.8 million joint facility at Mount Isa Airport, which will allow both LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to operate cohesively from the same location.
The new facility is being funded with contributions from the State Government’s Resources Community Infrastructure Fund (RCIF – $10.9 million), the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF – $9.7 million) and additional funding from Queensland Airports Limited (QAL – $600,000).
The RCIF is a voluntary partnership between the Queensland Government, Participating Mineral Resources Industry Parties, the Queensland Resources Council and its members.
The new joint base will service an area the size of New South Wales.
Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Assistant Minister for State Development Julieanne Gilbert was the first stage of construction which is expected to take 12 months.
“The Miles Government is proud to be able to give back to our resources industry communities, acknowledging their importance and the work they do to benefit all Queenslanders,” said Minister Gilbert.
“Thanks to RCIF, North West Queensland will have a new, co-located health emergency flight service that can better serve the region.
“Queensland communities should be the first to benefit when the resources sector they support succeeds and that’s why our partnership with the resources sector through the RCIF is such a great initiative.
“These projects not only enhance the infrastructure and liveability of resource communities but also create additional jobs and opportunities for the people of regional Queensland.”
RFDS (Queensland Section) CEO, Meredith Staib said the new base is expected to be completed by mid-next year and will provide a significant improvement for not just patients but staff.
“It will have a dedicated ambulance bay, patient transfer facilities and administration space, meaning our Mount Isa team will finally be housed under the same roof,” she said.
“With three hangars for RFDS planes and dedicated engineering space, we think this new facility will provide a significant improvement in patient care across the growing north-western region.
“I’m really looking forward to watching the new base getting built in the coming months and can’t wait to be on hand when it’s completed next year.”
LifeFlight Chief of External Affairs and Advocacy, Terry Kempnich said the Mount Isa facility will enhance the organisation’s capability to service the region where demand is increasing.Â
“LifeFlight has provided aeromedical care to communities around Mount Isa for 16 years and demand on our services increased by almost 20% last year,” he said.
“Once completed, the new build will provide LifeFlight with a larger hangar that will enable us to position a more capable helicopter that can go further and faster, state-of-the-art engineering and maintenance facilities, search and rescue and medical storage.
“With the new helicopter and hangar facilities, the demand for LifeFlight’s services will continue to grow, meeting the expectations of the community.”
