A SATELLITE dialysis unit, CT scanner and a multi-million refurbishment of the Eventide Aged Care Facility are among the health service upgrades that may be fast-tracked in Charters Towers.
The three projects have been identified as 'market ready' priority projects under the Townsville Hospital and Health Service's COVID-19 recovery proposed infrastructure program released last week.
Katter's Australian Party leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has called on both the state and federal governments to fast-track funding so the projects can get under way.
The CT scanner installation would cost around $3.5 million, the establishment of the dialysis unit around $2 million and the work on Eventide about $2.6 million.
If funded, all three projects could be completed by the end of 2021.
They would generate 41 full-time-equivalent jobs and would inject around $13 million into the local economy.
The short-term projects form part of a broader $172.1 million investment in Charters Towers health services, with a $164 million re-build of the Charters Towers Hospital also planned within the next four years.
Queensland Health is proposing to deliver a new-build, contemporary, purpose designed CSCF level three hospital, which is understood to be adjacent to the Eventide Aged Care Facility.
Mr Katter said the prioritisation of these works would bring Charters Towers into the 21st century and vastly improve quality of life and health outcomes for all living in the district, including Pentland, Homestead, Hughenden, Richmond and Greenvale.
He said the upgrades were long overdue, and that much lobbying in recent years and also prior to his time as the local state member had contributed to progressing the cause.
"I am delighted to see such strong support from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, they have now sent these recommendations down to Brisbane and it is time for us to see some money put on the table," Mr Katter said.
"The COVID-19 recovery - proposed infrastructure program identified a lot of works in Townsville as well as Ayr and Ingham, but by far Charters Towers has been flagged as the regional centre most in need of investment and we are wanting to see this honoured when it comes to writing the cheques."
Mr Katter said he would discuss the work with Health Minister Steven Miles in Brisbane next week to ensure he was aware of the sub-par health facilities in Charters Towers.
