A MAJOR new health precinct is set to reshape healthcare delivery in the Redlands, with developers and clinicians declaring the project a “defining moment” for the region’s future.
The Hub68 development, more than five years in the making, will deliver a staged health precinct combining a private mental health facility, expanded medical services and a future private hospital.
Stage 1, already approved by Redland City Council, centres on a 50-bed private mental health facility supported by about 1500 square metres of additional medical space.
The development will also include a day unit, pharmacy and imaging, building on an existing mix of healthcare providers already operating at the site.
Currently, the precinct hosts general practice, pathology, dentistry, psychology, audiology, dermatology, occupational and play therapy, exercise physiology, optometry and specialist therapy services, alongside a cafe.
Rather than demolishing existing structures, the project will repurpose former printing sheds, retrofitting and expanding them to two storeys, with outpatient services on the ground level and inpatient mental health beds above.
Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with delivery targeted for mid to late 2027.
A second stage, approved through the State Government’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process, will deliver a private hospital as part of the broader precinct.
At a high level, the MID process is designed to complement, not replace, the standard local government development application process, providing an alternative pathway for projects with clear state or regional importance or where timely delivery is critical.
While different from the standard Council approval pathway, it still incorporates local planning controls and involves consultation with Council and the community.
State Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker said the project would expand healthcare options while easing pressure on the public system.
“It’s good news for people who have the insurance or funds to access those services, but it’s also good news for those who depend on public services.
“The more patients that choose to use the private offering, the more capacity remains in Redland Hospital and other publicly funded services for those who don’t have the means to do so.”
Redland City councillor Peter Mitchell said the project would also play a critical role in the region’s economic future.
“From an economic development perspective, Hub68 supports jobs, skills, and long-term resilience, while helping ensure Redlands Coast remains a place where people can live, work and access critical services locally,” he said.
“With up to $750 million in private investment, thousands of construction jobs and an estimated 800-plus ongoing roles once operational, it will help anchor health and care as one of our region’s major employment sectors.
“It also addresses a real service gap, delivering new hospital beds, specialist services and aged-care capacity locally, rather than forcing families to travel further for care.”
Developers say the approach was appropriate given the scale of the project, which is expected to serve a catchment extending beyond Redlands into neighbouring Brisbane suburbs.
Hub68 Medical Director Craig McCombe said the project would significantly strengthen local healthcare capacity.
“We are excited by the benefits that a central facility of this nature will bring our medical community,” Dr McCombe said.
“Hub68 Centre of Excellence will provide specialists with the space, resources, and opportunities to continue supporting our community here on the Redlands Coast.”
Hub68 Commercial Director Warren Pryde said the project had been driven by a long-term vision for the region.
“The first steps toward delivering an integrated health precinct to support the region’s growing needs via the MID pathway were taken more than five years ago,” he said.
“As a local, I am excited by the long-term health and economic benefits this project will bring the region.”
Project Director Michael Choi said the facility had been designed to address growing demand, particularly for an ageing population.
“Hub68 has been carefully conceived to bridge the growing gap between demand and access to integrated, high-quality healthcare services, particularly for our ageing population,” he said.
“A defining feature of Hub68 is its commitment to 24/7 care … and will also play a meaningful role in alleviating pressure on the public health system.”
The broader precinct is also expected to deliver significant economic benefits, with Foresight Partners forecasting about 2880 full-time equivalent job years during construction and around 803 ongoing jobs once operational.
The project is also expected to help retain more local workers, with Census data showing nearly half of Redlands residents currently commute outside the region for employment.
Local surgeon Dr Peter Yuide said the development marked a turning point for healthcare in the Redlands.
“This project marks the moment the Redlands stops being a satellite of Brisbane healthcare and becomes a centre of care in its own right,” he said.
“For too long, patients in the Redlands have needed to travel into central Brisbane to access more complex surgical and specialist medical care.”
Traffic and access have been key considerations with upgrades proposed for nearby intersections including Finucane Rd and Delancey St.
Jalahawi Consulting Pty Ltd Director Steve Williams said extensive modelling had been undertaken to ensure
the project improved, rather than worsened, traffic conditions.
“The development proposal has included not only a new signalised intersection on Finucane Rd, but it has also included a proposal to incorporate significant improvements through proposed upgrades at the intersection of Finucane Rd and Delancey St,” he said.
“It is expected that the new traffic signals will be able to form part of the overall managed signal network and this will minimise the impacts of the new signals for commuters.
“The assessment demonstrated that with the inclusion of the proposed upgrades… the project will deliver a net ‘benefit’ in overall traffic delays/travel times across the assessed network.”
Plans for the broader precinct also include a 24/7 urgent care service, specialist disability accommodation and a high-care aged care facility of up to 90 beds, addressing increasing demand linked to population growth.
Due to construction pressures in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the hospital component is expected to be delivered after the Games.
When complete, Hub68 is expected to become the largest medical precinct in the Redlands.
