Cornerstone Healthcare Property (CHP) Fund has turned the first sod for a new $42 million Chermside Health Hub.
In recent research commissioned by CHP Fund, Hardes & Associates uncovered data showing that in Chermside over the next 14 years the need for ophthalmology will increase by 94 per cent, general medicine is set to increase by 83 per cent and orthopaedics by 64 per cent; as well as significant increases in demand for diagnostic GI endoscopy (68%), chemotherapy (61%), renal dialysis (59%) and acute psychiatry (45%).
These staggering statistics encouraged CHP Fund to develop a fully integrated healthcare hub in Chermside, offering a range of healthcare and allied health services including general practice, radiology, pharmacy services and bariatric surgery.
CHP Fund Director Simon Heazlewood said he was excited to break ground on the Chermside Health Hub, which will not only deliver 150 jobs during construction but also employ 100 health care staff at the facility once complete.
“This is a major milestone for Chermside and we are delighted to be able to provide a space for sustainable and quality healthcare jobs and services, particularly in response to the concerning predicted increase in demand,” Mr Heazlewood said.
“We are pleased to be in the final negotiations to lease approximately 30 per cent of the space and we are confident to attract more healthcare practitioners to the state-of-the-art facility once construction starts.
“We are currently speaking with a variety of interested specialists to complement the selection of services on offer at the Chermside Health Hub. We would love to see a day surgery and short-stay hospital included in the mix to complement our primary and allied health operators.”
Chermside Health Hub is located on the corner of the major intersection of Gympie Road and Rode Road and is strategically placed in the heart of the thriving north Brisbane business district.
“The building has been designed to achieve Class 9a healthcare building classification under the National Construction Code (NCC) to cater for hospital or surgical procedures,” Mr Heazlewood said.
“As with all our Health Hub projects we complete the whole process from acquisition, through construction and then remain involved as the building owner on completion.
“It is therefore very important to us that the Health Hub not only reflects our values, but has an integrated mix of services that delivers on the needs of the local community.
The Health Hub — built on a 2,663m² lot — will include 5,187m² in lettable space as well as 180 parking spaces, which is expected to be of great appeal to tenants given the limited street-side parking available in the area.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said as Brisbane’s population continued to grow, the Chermside Health Hub would cater for a need for more healthcare services by conveniently combining a suite of specialities in one facility.
“This $42 million fully-integrated health care facility will help meet the growing demand for health care services in the region and will provide the north Brisbane community with access to quality health care services, located within walking distance of both Prince Charles and St Vincent’s Private Hospital,” Mayor Schrinner said.
Federal Member for Petrie and Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services Luke Howarth MP, said the Chermside Health Hub not only addressed the growing need for healthcare services but was also expected to contribute to job creation and economic growth in the region.
“I’m delighted to join my fellow dignitaries to turn the sod on the Chermside Health Hub today and would like to congratulate CHP Fund on this great initiative which will deliver essential services to the local community,” Mr Howarth said.
“Today is not only exciting regarding the Chermside Health Hub addressing the increasing need for health care in our local community, but also as a catalyst to generate new jobs and the positive impact it will have on our local economy.
“Our jobs plan, outlined in the Federal Budget, is practical: protect jobs and connect people with jobs today, and skill up our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Youth unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in 12 years and the Government remains committed to getting even more young Australians into work through education, training, and employment programs.
“The federal government is helping to secure Australia’s ongoing economic recovery through skills and employment. With demands for medical services increasing as our population ages, it is good to note that we are is investing record funding in Medicare, providing more support to Australians as we face some of the greatest health challenges in a generation.
“We are investing $125.7 billion in Medicare over the forward estimates, an increase of over $6 billion since last year’s Budget, up 58% since 2013. We are also improving the quality and safety of care for patients, supporting high-value care, and simplifying the Medicare Benefits Schedule.”
CHP Fund specialises in award-winning integrated healthcare facilities, including North Lakes Specialists Medical Centre, Mackay Specialists Medical Centre in Queensland and Canberra Specialist Medical Centre in ACT and Nepean Health Hub in Penrith, New South Wales.
Construction is expected to be completed on the Chermside Health Hub by the end of 2022.
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