Australian Unity has lodged a development application with Logan City Council to develop a new $150 million private hospital and health hub in Meadowbrook, Queensland, to meet the rising demand for medical and surgical services in one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing corridors.

Situated opposite Logan Hospital and well-connected to rail and other public transport services, the proposed Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital will deliver state-of-the-art private health facilities. The initial stage of development will deliver between 60 and 90 inpatient beds, with capacity to rapidly expand to 160 beds. Other specialist facilities include nine operating theatres, 60 specialist consulting suites, onsite pathology and a large imaging centre. Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital will form part of the proposed Meadowbrook Health Hub at the 1.6 hectare site, which will offer supporting facilities including an onsite hotel, childcare, and retail services.

The first stage of construction is expected to commence in early 2023, subject to development approval.

On its completion, Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital will be leased under a 30-year term to operator Matilda Health Care.

Chris Smith, General Manager of Healthcare Property, Australian Unity, said the site is another example of Australian Unity’s longterm commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare infrastructure, that will create long-term value for investors and deliver critical services to the local community.

“Australian Unity is delighted to be leading the delivery of this highquality asset, which will improve health outcomes and provide longterm income and capital growth for our investors. It builds on our well-established track record as one of Queensland’s most trusted private healthcare developer-managers.

“Along with generating a steady income stream as a result of a 30- year lease with Matilda Health Care, the centrally-located site and large lot size will enable us to pursue additional development stages as community demand grows. These are some of the many characteristics make the Meadowbrook Health Hub a high-quality asset in our portfolio”, Mr Smith said.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power welcomed Australian Unity’s development application.

“The Australian Unity Private Hospital lodgement aligns with Council’s vision for the Meadowbrook health and wellbeing precinct and will help address the huge demand for health services in our city. A new private hospital will attract doctors, nurses, specialists and health operators while also creating new local jobs,” Cr Power said. “While the development application still requires approval, Council welcomes this project and other health investments proposed for the City of Logan.”

Dr Harry Pannu, Managing Director of Matilda Health Care said the hospital will support the rapidly growing health needs in the City of Logan for years to come.

“The city of Logan is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of local residents expected to almost double to 500,000 by 2036. This growth, in combination with an ageing population and rising rates of chronic disease, is driving significant demand for high-quality healthcare infrastructure.

“Meadowbrook will be Matilda Health Care’s third private hospital, our second in partnership with Australian Unity and our first in Queensland. The time is right for Matilda to join the Logan community and provide the clinician-led, world-class standard of care we are recognised for”, said Dr Pannu.

Australian Unity’s Healthcare Property Trust (AUHPT) is one of Australia’s preeminent investors in health precincts and has expanded its presence in key growth catchments in Queensland in recent years.

In addition to Matilda Meadowbrook Private Hospital, AUHPT recently announced plans to commence a $150 million expansion to Robina Private Hospital on the Gold Coast.

In November 2020, AUHPT completed the development of Queensland’s first digital hospital, the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), which forms part of Australian Unity’s $1.1 billion Herston Quarter Redevelopment in Brisbane. STARS will be part of a collaborative community, home to several health facilities, medical research institutes, universities and other organisations.

-ENDS-

About Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust
Australian Unity's $3.2 billion Healthcare Property Trust was launched in 1999 and has grown to become one of Australia’s largest and most successful unlisted property funds. As one of Australia’s original purpose driven investments it is currently ranked in the top 20 managed funds invested in by self-managed superannuation funds.

AUHPT currently owns a portfolio of 76 high-grade healthcare assets, including hospitals, medical clinics, aged-care facilities, day surgeries, medical offices, consulting rooms, rehabilitation units, radiology and pathology centres.

About Australian Unity
Established in 1840, Australian Unity is a member-owned wellbeing company with 400,000 members and more than 700,000 customers. Our range of health, wealth and care products and services provides member, customer and community value that is supportive of personal and community wellbeing.