The newly formed Sunshine Coast University Hospital Business and Industry Development Opportunity (SCUH BIDO) taskforce will hold their inaugural meeting today, Monday 7 February.
First announced in November 2010, the taskforce is a joint initiative spearheaded by RDA Sunshine Coast backed by state Dept. of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).
The Chair of RDA Sunshine Coast said the new task force would identify and capitalise on local business and job opportunities presented by the upcoming construction of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) and the associated private hospital.
“The SCUH BIDO Taskforce will consist of around 20 key business leaders working together to ensure that the Sunshine Coast benefits from such a large scale investment in the region’s health infrastructure,” the Chair explained.
“I am looking forward to introducing the taskforce committee at Monday’s meeting. I know that they are all keen to get the ball rolling and start maximising the practical benefits and opportunities arising from the State Government’s $2 billion investment in hospitals.”
The Sunshine Coast has been identified as one of the most ‘at risk’ regions in the country for unemployment.
It is one of 20 regions receiving employment support through the Government’s ‘Keep Australia Working’ program and RDA Sunshine Coast is delighted to be launching a new initiative aimed specifically at helping local industry growth and job creation.
“The new hospitals will diversify the coast’s industry base. This new taskforce will ensure that every opportunity is given to local people to bid for construction, fitting and operating roles in the development and ongoing management of the hospital.
“It will also identify secondary flow-on business opportunities created by the service needs of the hospital workforce and their families,” the Chair stated.
At today’s first meeting of the SCUH BIDO Taskforce the Chair of RDASC will present an overview of the opportunities available for economic growth and employment.
The inaugural meeting will also serve as a formal recognition of the final members and reinforce the task force’s aim to foster collaborative partnerships with key Sunshine Coast business and industry groups.
Members of the SCUH BIDO taskforce include representatives from the University of the Sunshine Coast, local Chambers of Commerce, TAFE, Sunshine Coast Council, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), SC Business Council, SC Enterprises and several key industry stakeholders. Queensland Health representatives will provide background information and updates to the task force.
“Our exact mission at RDASC is to develop economic prosperity and find job opportunities for our people; so we are delighted to be launching the SCUH BIDO. It aligns perfectly with our goals for the future growth of the Sunshine Coast,” the Chair concluded.
Opportunities are already arising with a private hospital in early development phase on the Kawana campus. A project manager for the $400m facility is expected be announced in March.
The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is scheduled to open in 2016 with 450 inpatient beds, expanding to 738 inpatient beds by 2021.