Project Contact
Brendan Gaffney
Alison Brabrook
Amy Byun
Ashley Beckett
Carol Brubaker
David Ho
Ethan Douglas
Julian Farrell
Kate Abbett
Kim Huat Tan
Luke Van De Vorst
Marty Gowran
Paul Focic
Spyros Barberis
Adam Formosa
New Bundaberg Hospital
Bundaberg, Queensland
The new Bundaberg Hospital will be the largest of the new facilities being provided for this rapidly growing district. The $1.2 billion hospital, funded as part of the Queensland Health and Hospitals Plan, will include:
- the main acute building with a rooftop helipad;
- 320 overnight beds, with more single rooms for patient privacy and comfort;
- a larger emergency department;
- acute services, including medical, surgical, intensive care, mental health, maternity, paediatric care and renal services;
- a larger range of outpatient and diagnostic services;
- more operating theatres and recovery spaces;
- clinical support spaces for medical imaging, pharmacy, sterile services, outpatients, mortuary and pathology;
- teaching, training and research spaces.
COX Director, Brendan Gaffney
It’s incredibly rewarding to be involved in the design of such an important piece of social infrastructure for one of our best-known regional hubs. We know it will make a huge difference to people’s everyday lives where health and wellness are so important.
COX, responsible for the exterior, façade, and structure, designed the hospital to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, creating a strong civic presence that’s easily recognisable upon approach. Set back from the boundary and shielded from major roads by landscaped spaces, the building offers a welcoming environment where staff, visitors, and patients can enjoy the outdoors. As a new landmark for Bundaberg, the hospital’s modern design is intuitive and approachable, set against a backdrop of subtropical bushland.
The architecture reflects a commitment to cohesion, with every element—from the façade to the interiors and landscape—coming together for a unified, visually striking experience. The design draws inspiration from three key themes, each influencing the hospital’s character and connection to the region.
Water
The Burnett River, streams, creeks, floodplains, dams, and watercourses within the Bundaberg area, and the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, are not just physical elements but living stories. The design draws inspiration from these aquatic themes which symbolise the flow of life, renewal, and the integral connection between health and water.
Geology
The geology of Bundaberg, characterised by its highly productive agricultural soil, coastline erosion, sandy beaches, and enduring volcanic basalt rock, has inspired the manner in which the design connects to its landscape. The grounding textures of the local geology form the bedrock of the new health precinct, evoking a sense of solidity, fostering a connection back to Country and the enduring landscape.
Land
The patchwork of agricultural activity, the region’s status as a rich fruit bowl with volcanic soils, and the presence of remnant bushlands and diverse flora and fauna are woven into the architectural narrative. Our design seeks to honour this evolving agricultural tapestry, becoming an integral part of the precinct identity.
Figure 1: The Building Form
The architectural concept for the new Bundaberg Hospital aims to push the boundaries of a traditional healthcare facility. It aspires to be a living, breathing testament to the identity and spirit of Bundaberg—a space where architecture, culture, and community converge to create a healing environment deeply rooted in its surroundings.
COX and lead architects BLP are working as part of the CPB Contractors consortium for the new Bundaberg Hospital, along with Queensland Health (Health Infrastructure Queensland) and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
We acknowledge the lands on which the new Bundaberg Hospital will be built – the traditional Country of the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda Peoples, and the importance of ongoing input provided by local Traditional Custodians and neighbouring First Nations communities.
