Prayers not answered on hospital site

THE state government has finally released the location of the city’s new satellite hospital.

But there’s one problem, it will have to be built on top of a church.

A screen shot (right) of a govern- ment map shows the satellite hospital at the same address as the Mary Mother of Mercy Church, off Sunlight Dve, in Burleigh Waters.

Coast LNP MPs Laura Gerber and Michael Hart sought a clarification on the location. A department source confirmed the church was “absolutely not” the site but could not say why the marker had been placed there.

The interactive map is unavailable to the public as the Treasury updates it with the latest budget information.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the site was still being finalised.

“This new facility will further enhance local health services for Gold Coast residents and support jobs during the construction period,” she said.

Labor promised in the lead-up to the 2020 election to deliver a satellite hospital for Tugun. However, when questioned, it said sites were being decided.

Premier Anna Palaszczuk told the house on Wednesday: “I can advise I’ve already convened a meeting and said I want these built within two years. That planning is currently under way, we’ve identified sites, and we want to see them constructed.”

Ms Gerber demanded the government deliver on the hospital.

“I am sick to death of Labor playing fast and loose with the truth,” she said.

“I want to see this government make good on their promise and deliver a satellite hospital in Tugun.”

Burleigh MP Michael Hart said he “hopes this is an error” when pointing out the location marker on Wednesday.

“Otherwise Queensland Health via the Labor government are going to resume our Burleigh Heads Catholic Parish’s flagship new church,” he said.

Burleigh Heads is one of the largest Catholic parishes in Australia.