THREE new on-site homes have been built for Queensland Heath staff at Dirranbandi.
South West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Dr Anthony Brown said the two one-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom house were modular buildings, manufactured in Brisbane via QBuild’s Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centre (RAAC) Modern Methods of Construction Program.
Dr Brown said the $3 million accommodation project was funded by the South West Hospital and Health Service Board through retained earnings.
South West Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Karen Tully said retained earnings were budget surpluses that could be reinvested in key infrastructure upgrades for the ongoing benefit of local communities and staff. She said South West Health had achieved operating surpluses in every financial year since the establishment of Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services on 1 July 2012, through careful financial management.
“We have consistently achieved this while continuing to deliver all agreed major services and meet key safety and quality performance indicators,” she said.
Dr Brown said sourcing staff accommodation was a challenge across rural Queensland, not only in the South West.
“We regularly review our accommodation portfolio across all locations to ensure the supply of government-provided accommodation meets the changing needs of our workforce,” he said.
“Earlier this year, for instance, eight new modular staff accommodation units — four each at Charleville and St George hospitals — were delivered through the Queensland Government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program.
“In mid-2024, thanks to funding from Queensland Health’s Priority Capital Works Program, we delivered six individual ensuite rooms with shared kitchen and laundry facilities at Mungindi to support staff working there.
“These onsite accommodation projects across our region help us attract and retain vital health workers, while also reducing ongoing accommodation costs.”
PHOTO: One of the new homes at Dirranbandi, built to accommodate Queensland Health staff.
POSTED: Wednesday, September 2, 2026