Key health site secured

QUEENSLAND Health has wisely locked in a block of land in the southern corridor of Cairns for future medical needs, including a possible second hospital for the city.

The 5ha site in Walker Rd is in a strategic part of Edmonton and has cost about $6 million.

The government department has quickly acquired the land after it compensated the owners of another nearby property, which was initially earmarked for prosperity.

Last month taxpayers were forced to pay out at least $5.25 million in the failed attempt to build a second major health facility on the 22ha parcel of land in Mill Dr.

The Bligh Government initially bought the cane property, known as “Mann’s Farm”, in 2010.

However, the deal fell through following two changes of government.

The Mann family lodged a compensation claim of $40.15 million in 2014 and was handed back the land earlier this year after the Palaszczuk Government settled for an undisclosed sum.

Queensland Health has refused to explain why it did not keep the Mann Farm and has had to spend another $6m acquiring another site to develop a new health precinct.

It admits the Walker Rd property had been bought to get ready for widespread growth in the area over the next decade.

At this stage it is likely the property will be used to develop a community health facility, although there is enough space for a second hospital.

Fortunately it has a property which cannot be swallowed up for housing or another development.

For once a government department is ahead of progress instead of playing catch-up.