Big step for health across Cape York
Cooktown Health Services
The largest ever health project for the Electorate of Cook, the $200 million Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service, has moved forward to the crucial stage of engagement of a new design consultant.
Design consultant BVN has been appointed to manage the early stages of the project, which will include eight new beds, a new operating theatre, emergency department, medical imaging and specialist outpatient services, including oral health and a central sterile services department.
A new birthing site will also be built as part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to reinstating birthing services in Cooktown, following the shut down of the service in 2022 under the former Labor government shut them down in 2022.
Member for Cook David Kempton, who raised a young family in Cooktown, said it was vital that people living in remote areas have access to reliable adequate health services that their city counterparts take for granted.
“A decade of Labor’s ineptitude including false promises by Minister Shannon Fentiman during the election campaign last year, left Cooktown and the wider Cape York community on life support, with an outdated health facility and no birthing services,” Mr Kempton said.
“We are building and expanding the health services that the Cooktown community needs and deserves.”
Mr Kempton said the investment in Cooktown was part of the Crisafulli Government’s Easier Access to Health Services Plan to ensure world-class healthcare options were available for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live.
“The Crisafulli Government’s commitment will enable patients in the Far North to access services closer to home, limiting the need to travel elsewhere for health care,” Mr Kempton said.
“The modern facility will also help with staff recruitment and retention, which will be a huge benefit for the future healthcare for our remote community.”
The first stage of design work undertaken by BVN will include the validation of the previously completed design for the new Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke said extensive engagement with staff, stakeholders, and the community would begin in the coming months to ensure the project reflects the diverse community and provides safe and welcoming services closer to home.
“We acknowledge the existing hospital is ageing and in need of upgrading,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“We want to ensure staff at Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service have the most up-to-date facilities to deliver vital services to the Cooktown and surrounding communities.”
A separate tender will be released for the construction component of the facility, once the detailed design is finalised.
BVN’s appointment comes as the Far North also prepares to open the new Cow Bay Primary Health Centre in August.
The larger, modern, purpose-built facility - which includes a new helicopter landing pad and staff accommodation as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan - will replace the old building that has housed the health centre for more than 20 years.
$355.2 million in new funding was allocated in the 2025-26 Budget to address the shortfalls and unfunded commitments of the former government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program, including the Cow Bay Health Centre.
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