This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AUSTRALIAN Unity is set to develop a new $150 million private hospital and health hub in one of Brisbane’s fastest growing corridors.
The Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital will sit opposite Logan Hospital, around 25km from the Brisbane CBD in the southern suburb of Meadowbrook, bringing much needed additional medical and surgical services to the growing area.
Australian Unity – through its Australian Unity’s Healthcare Property Trust (AUHPT) – has lodged a development application with the Logan City Council to deliver the hospital, which will comprise state-of-the-art health facilities with 60 to 90 impatient beds upon the initial stages.
The hospital will eventually be built with the capacity to expand to 160 beds and will include specialist facilities including include nine operating theatres, 60 specialist consulting suites, onsite pathology and a large imaging centre.
Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital will form part of the proposed 1.6-hectare Meadowbrook Health Hub that is planned to feature supporting facilities such as an onsite hotel, childcare, and retail services.
Matilda Health Care will lease and operate the hospital upon its completion on a 20-year term.
“Meadowbrook will be Matilda Health Care’s third private hospital, our second in partnership with Australian Unity and our first in Queensland. The time is right for Matilda to join the Logan community and provide the clinician-led, world-class standard of care we are recognised for,” Dr Harry Pannu, managing director of Matilda Health Care.
Pannu added that the hospital development is coming at a time where the need for such a facility is growing, with the City of Logan expected to see its residents nearly double to 500,000 by 2036.
“This growth, in combination with an ageing population and rising rates of chronic disease, is driving significant demand for high-quality healthcare infrastructure,” said Pannu.
For Australian Unity, the development will not only deliver on its commitment to deliver l high-quality critical healthcare infrastructure and services to the community but will establish long-term value for its investors.
“Along with generating a steady income stream as a result of a 30-year lease with Matilda Health Care, the centrally-located site and large lot size will enable us to pursue additional development stages as community demand grows. These are some of the many characteristics make the Meadowbrook Health Hub a high-quality asset in our portfolio,” said Chris Smith, general manager of healthcare property at Australian Unity.
While the group’s development approval still requires approval, the Council for the City of Logan welcomes such proposals for healthcare investments.
“The Australian Unity Private Hospital lodgement aligns with Council’s vision for the Meadowbrook health and wellbeing precinct and will help address the huge demand for health services in our city. A new private hospital will attract doctors, nurses, specialists and health operators while also creating new local jobs,” said Darren Power, mayor of the City of Logan.
As a leading investor into healthcare precincts in Australia, AUHPT been expanding its Queensland footprint, with investments including the $150 million expansion to the Robina Private Hospital on the Gold Coast.
Pending approval from the local council, the first stage of the Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital is anticipated to commence construction in early-2023.
