The establishment of Central Queensland’s first hospice is a step closer, with the announcement that one of the region’s leading construction firms have been appointed as the project’s building partner.
Fitzroy Community Hospice has announced Paynters Pty Ltd as the successful tenderer to build the state-of-the-art palliative care facility, located at 38 Agnes Street, Rockhampton. Construction is set to commence in January 2023, with operations commencing onsite in December 2023.
Fitzroy Community Hospice is a not-for profit charitable organisation leading the establishment of a hospice in Rockhampton to provide much needed palliative care and support services for Central Queenslanders with an incurable illness.
Paynters has successfully delivered numerous major construction projects across Queensland within community, health, aged care and education sectors. Exacting quality and safety standards will apply to the built environment of Central Queensland’s hospice, which will operate as a 12-bed licenced health facility.
“This project is a significant milestone for the region, and Paynters have displayed a willingness to listen and understand the unique requirements of the facility,” said Dr Vicki Richmond, Chair of Fitzroy Community Hospice.
“As a charitable organisation that strives to support local families, working with a building partner who values inclusion and excellence, as we do, is important to us,” Dr Richmond said.
“Paynters have a solid reputation for delivering large high-quality construction projects throughout Central Queensland, and a commitment has been made to appoint local workers and suppliers as much as possible”, said Dr Richmond.
Access to comprehensive community-based palliative care is currently limited in Central Queensland. Of the nine hospices in Queensland, most are in South-East Queensland, and none are north of Hervey Bay.
According to Dr Richmond, “Lack of palliative care services in our community means that many families in Central Queensland are not receiving the support they need during one of life’s most challenging times.”
As the local population grows and as people age and health requirements become more complex, the need for a hospice becomes greater in our community.
“Extensive consultation has been undertaken to ensure the facility will meet the needs of the community both now and into the future,” Dr Richmond said.
The Australian Government has recognised the vital importance of this project to our community and has committed $8 million in funding towards construction. However, government funding will only cover a portion of the capital costs and a further $2.5 million will be raised through community fundraising to meet the costs of land, room fit-out, equipment, furniture and operation.
“To build and operate the Fitzroy Community Hospice will require the support of the community and local business partners,” said Dr Richmond. “All money raised will stay within the local community and be used to benefit the local community”.
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Debbie Richards
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