Lendlease, CPB Contractors and a new masterplan move three Queensland hospital builds forward

Three of Queensland's big regional and outer-metro hospital projects took clear steps forward in August. Lendlease has been named preferred contractor for the Redcliffe Hospital Expansion, CPB Contractors has signed a new agreement for the new Bundaberg Hospital and started piling on site, and the Queensland Government has released the masterplan for the Mackay Base Hospital Expansion.

All three sit within the state's Hospital Rescue Plan, announced in April 2025 after an independent review of the previous Capacity Expansion Program. Since then, Redcliffe has been redesigned and re-tendered, Bundaberg moved onto a new contract model with its existing builder, and Mackay gained a new long-term masterplan. Health Infrastructure Queensland (HIQ) is delivering the program with the local hospital and health services.

Project at a glance

Redcliffe: Lendlease to build a 255-bed expansion

The Queensland Government confirmed on 3 August that Lendlease is preferred contractor for the Redcliffe Hospital Expansion in Moreton Bay, following a competitive tender. The expansion now includes 255 new overnight beds, among them 28 in a Transitional Sub-Acute Medical Inpatient Unit due in 2027, plus a maternity ward, endoscopy services and operating theatres.

Lendlease says the first major stage is a new Clinical Services Building with more than 200 new overnight beds, followed by a staged refurbishment of the existing hospital so services keep running throughout. Early and enabling works are due to start later this year, and Lendlease expects around 90 per cent of subcontractors to come from the local region. "The Redcliffe Hospital Expansion is a critical project for Queensland," said Stephanie Graham, Lendlease's CEO Construction.

The government's December 2025 delivery timeline put the first new beds from late 2027, with full completion expected in 2032.

The car park comes first. On-site work on a three-level extension to the existing multi-storey car park was due to start in late August, with Richard Crookes Construction delivering more than 530 new spaces by the end of 2027. HIQ worked closely with the Kabi Kabi people to resolve the issue of a culturally significant tree on the site, which the new design no longer affects.

Bundaberg: CPB signs a new agreement and starts piling

At Thabeban in Bundaberg, CPB Contractors has signed a new agreement to deliver the new Bundaberg Hospital and is confirmed as preferred contractor ahead of construction of Stage 1: more than 200 beds and treatment areas focused on acute services, due by 2031. The government says the agreement brings clearer scope, greater price certainty and more opportunities for local subcontractors.

CPB was first appointed in July 2023 as managing contractor for the design stage, under a two-stage model where the builder delivered the detailed design and then a guaranteed price before main works. The main works package will now be delivered under HIQ25, Health Infrastructure Queensland's new contract. Its published draft conditions describe an early contractor involvement (ECI) contract in two stages: the builder first works with the client to finalise the design, brief and a fixed price, then builds the project once that offer is accepted. The draft says the two-stage approach is designed to optimise both the design and construction solution and its pricing.

The project has already moved into construction. CPB announced on 17 August that piling had begun. "The commencement of piling is a significant achievement for the project," said Vince Sanfilippo, CPB's Queensland and PNG General Manager. Main works are due to start later this year, with lift cores and the first ground slab poured by the end of 2026.

Once complete, the hospital will have more than 410 beds and treatment spaces, including at least 139 additional overnight beds, a larger emergency department, more operating rooms and a rooftop helipad. All services and beds will move to the new site.

Mackay: masterplan released

On 11 August the Premier and Health Minister released the masterplan for the Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, a 15-year plan for the hospital campus. Main construction is due to begin in 2027, with all Stage 1 packages delivered by 2030. Stage 1 includes:

• at least 128 new overnight beds
• expanded emergency, maternity, birthing, surgical, endoscopy, neonatal and paediatric services
• a new Mackay Birth Centre
• a new clinical services building (P Block) connected to the hospital, with a rooftop helipad
• a new multi-storey staff car park, which the health service says will hold up to 1,000 spaces once the site is fully developed

Work is already under way, including recommissioning the hospital's on-site helipad, and a temporary 80-space fleet car park is under construction. The Mackay Hospital and Health Service says later stages, including a new mental health facility, further clinical buildings and a public multi-storey car park, are planned beyond 2031, subject to government prioritisation and funding.

What's next

Redcliffe's early and enabling works start later this year, Bundaberg moves from piling into main works, and Mackay's contractor procurement is the next milestone ahead of construction in 2027.

Published 7 October 2026 · Updated 2 October 2026