While locals have long voiced concerns over parking challenges at Mackay Base Hospital, the wait for a solution has reached a new turning point — with the community now invited to have their say on plans for a multi-storey car park and helipad.
The proposed development marks a major milestone in the Mackay Hospital Expansion Project (MHEP), and the start of a formal public consultation process offers residents the opportunity to help shape a project that aims to improve access, patient transfer, and overall hospital experience.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon said the month-long consultation phase was a significant step forward.
“Visitors to Mackay Base Hospital may notice signage around the campus which explains that we are now in a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) consultation process,” Ms Gannon said.
“This process is managed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and it enables anyone with an interest in the development to provide feedback.
“Our staff, patients and visitors are aware of the parking pressures we face at Mackay Base Hospital during peak periods, and I know that we are all looking forward to the new multi-storey car park which will provide a total of about 1100 parking spaces, which is an additional 550 spaces on our current capacity.
“The car park will also feature a rooftop helipad which will allow for smoother transfer of patients into the emergency department.
“Work is also progressing well on the other components of MHEP; site preparation for a new wing of the hospital, and on determining a location for an off-site birth centre.”
Temporary carparking arrangements will be put in place during the car park construction period, and work is underway to determine a preferred location.
The MID consultation process is in place from 13 June to 14 July 2025.
Submissions can be made on or before 14 July 2025 to the Infrastructure Designation team via www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mid-consultations, by email to infrastructuredesignation@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au or via post to PO Box 15009, City East, QLD 4002
After years of frustration, Mackay Base Hospital opens public consultation on a new multi-storey car park and helipad to ease parking complications. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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