HEALTHY OUTLOOK
THE developers behind a $25 million North Queensland Specialist Centre at the Mater Hospital are proceeding with the project after medical professionals expressed healthy interest in leasing the building’s consulting suites.
The three-level building, proposed for the corner of Lothair and Diprose streets in
Townsville, is being developed by local firm PDS Qld and backed by a consortium of local doctors.
PDS Qld principal Paul Spina said while events surrounding the coronavirus pandemic posed additional risks that needed to be considered, it was important to continue with infrastructure projects that provided jobs and improved services for people.
“We are moving ahead. Everyone needs to understand there is a coronavirus contingency. But this project is all very possible,” Mr Spina said.
He said they had been liaising with banks, builders and consultants, were lodging a minor amendment for development approval and making adjustments to contingencies, particularly on time and delivery of materials.
“The biggest risk at this stage is delivery of materials. At this point China is still making things and we are able to have them sent into Australia,” Mr Spina said.
The building was announced last year and forms part of a masterplan for the redevelopment of the Mater’s Pimlico campus.
Ray White Commercial Townsville launched a leasing
TONY RAGGATT 4722 4439 campaign for the suites late last year and has secured more than half of the tenancies.
Sales and leasing executive Peter Mccann said space in the building had been highly sought after by medical specialists because of its on-campus location, the availability of parking and ability to integrate custom fit-outs.
“We have already secured leases for over half of the building and have received considerable interest for the remaining tenancies,” he said.
He said the building would have 63 on-site car parks provided to tenants depending on the size of their lease, while the Mater planned a multistorey car park with about 450 spaces in Diprose St.
The construction of the specialist centre is scheduled to start in August.