Gladstone Regional Council says it is continuing its advocacy towards improving health services in the region by inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) to lease a parcel of land in West Gladstone.
Mayor, Matt Burnett said the vacant land (pictured, right) on the corner of Park Street and Palm Drive has an area of 2.51 hectares and is in the vicinity of Gladstone Hospital.
“This is a health precinct zone and Council wants to see a health service provider set up here and strengthen health services locally,” Mayor Burnett said.
“We know health is the responsibly of the State and Federal Governments and that there is a lack of health services nationwide but particularly in the regions.
“What we are offering here is a point of difference, a call out to specialists and medical professionals across the nation to consider what services or facilities they could provide in Gladstone.
“There is so much happening in the Gladstone Region at the moment in terms of renewable energy and significant investment in new and existing industries, so what better time for either an existing medical centre to expand or a new health facility to establish.
“The message is simple: the land is available, it is zoned appropriately, ideally situated in a region with an exciting future and billions of dollars in industrial investment on the table.
“We are open to options and want to help address the shortage of health services locally by being a part of the solution,” he said.
The reserve at Lot 1 CP867607 at 48 Park Street has a designated ‘Health’ purpose and the EOIs would need to focus on proposals that meet this objective.
The EOI period closes on Monday 3 April.
The purpose of the EOI is to receive business proposals from interested parties which will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Provision of a suitable Business Plan or proposal
- The capacity of the interested party to gain necessary development approvals
- The speed at which the interested party can develop the site and establish a health facility
- It is desirable that the Business Proposal includes consideration for the provision or development of affordable accommodation for health students, interns and registrars to support development of Primary Care services.
Council will seek an independent valuation of the land for potential leasing purposes.
Applicants are encouraged to review the information available on Council’s Community Leasing Page prior to submitting an application – visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/community-leasing for further details.
Alternatively, email email info@gladstone.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 4970 0700 for more information or questions regarding the EOI process.