The second stage of the $100m 10-year Master Plan for Mater Private Hospital Townsville was officially launched today with the start of construction of a new 400-space multi-storey car park.

The Bishop of Townsville, the Most Reverend Tim Harris, blessed the site as well as the people working on the project at the hospital’s Pimlico campus.

The car park, which will create 12 full time jobs during construction and opportunities for up to 40 apprentices and more than 700 sub-contractors over the life of the project, is being supported with a $19.75m loan from the Federal Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Mater Private Hospital Townsville Executive Officer Libbie Linley said the project was an important milestone in the delivery of the hospital’s Master Plan to improve health services for people living in the region.

“Mater is committed to providing outstanding services and care for North Queenslanders,” Ms Linley said.  “This project will make using our hospital more convenient and support Townsville’s post-COVID economy.

“Ensuring onsite, convenient parking in close proximity to the hospital is an important part of the services we offer to patients and their families.”

Ms Linley said the six-storey car park followed stage one of the Master Plan – the $52m custom-built clinical building, the Mercy Centre.  The Mercy Centre was built last year and has improved surgical services for patients and doctors.

Mater Chief of Mission Alanna Jacoby said Mater Private Hospital Townsville began caring for the health of North Queenslanders 75 years ago and she was proud to be continuing that legacy.

She said the car park construction will include demolition of Halberstater House, named after Mater Townsville’s founding medical superintendent, Dr Leslie Halberstater OBE.

“We will commemorate Dr Halberstater’s life and work by incorporating a plaque into the grounds of the Pimlico campus to ensure his legacy is not forgotten,” Ms Jacoby said.