- New indigenous health and aged care facility to be built at the former Wynnum Hospital site.
- The site was handed over to the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation by the Palaszczuk Government.
- The Commonwealth Government will fund the redevelopment.
Former Wynnum Hospital site will be transformed into a new Indigenous aged care facility after it was handed over to a local community group by the Palaszczuk Government.
The old hospital site was officially handed over to the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation (Winnam) today, fulfilling a 2020 election commitment.
After the Wynnum Hospital was shut down by the previous LNP government, the Palaszczuk Government opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre to address the healthcare needs of Baysiders.
Winnam will now demolish the old hospital site and build a new residential aged care facility with more than 30 beds, including palliative care beds.
The Commonwealth Government will fund the redevelopment, with a timeline for construction and details of the new facility to be finalised later this year.
Quotes attributable to Member for Lytton Joan Pease:
“It’s fantastic to know this site will be brought back to life after the LNP Newman government closed down services at Wynnum Hospital,” Ms Pease said.
“Transferring the old Wynnum Hospital site to Winnam is a perfect example of how we can repurpose government assets to benefit our community.
“This facility will improve access to health services for our First Nations residents and will create good local jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath:
“I know the closure of Wynnum Hospital by the former LNP government was a big loss for Baysiders, which is why the Palaszczuk Government promised to ensure the site continued to benefit the community,” Minister D’Ath said.
“Let’s not forget, the current Opposition Leader, Opposition Deputy Leader and Opposition Health Spokesperson were all members of Campbell Newman’s cabinet when they decided to shut Wynnum Hospital down.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to giving Baysiders access to the healthcare they need, which is why we opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre.
“We’re now proud to handover the site to Winnam so it can become a new integrated indigenous health and aged care hub to benefit the community for decades to come.”
Attributable to Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells:
“Winnam is an example of how the Albanese Government is investing in reforms to help First Nations people receive equitable access to aged care services,” Minister Wells said.
“The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the aged care system improve their specific provisions for the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – and we are doing just that.
“This development is one of four First Nations aged care services across Australia receiving a collective $115 million in funding through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) to construct new culturally safe, purpose-built facilities.”
Quotes attributable to Winnam Chair Aunty Becky:
“The handover of the site has been a number of years in the making and it’s great to see it finally come to fruition,” Aunty Becky said.
“The planned redevelopment of the site into a wellbeing precinct hub will be a huge asset to the community.”
