The 2025–26 Queensland State Budget delivers significant healthcare investments that will benefit residents of the Fraser Coast, alongside broader statewide improvements.
The commitment a record $33.1 billion to the health system which is an increase of over 10% from the previous year is aimed at easing pressure on hospitals, expanding services, and addressing frontline workforce shortages.
How will this budget benefit the Fraser Coast residents?
The key is that the Queensland government must ensure that this funding delivers more services to the residents now.
While the Maryborough and Hervey Bay Hospitals are not listed for full rebuilds, they will benefit from statewide workforce recruitment and upgrades to existing services designed to reduce wait times and improve local access to care.
In theory, Fraser Coast residents will have shorter travel distances for specialist care and less time waiting in emergency departments.
Funding allocated to Surgery Connect, will reduce waiting times for elective surgeries. However, we need to ensure that we strive to reduce waiting times for outpatient appointments.
Mental health services also receive a boost, with funding allocated for new mental health and wellbeing programs.
This is particularly important in regional areas like the Fraser Coast, where access to mental health care has traditionally lagged behind metropolitan centres.
In addition to hospitals, the government has committed to recruiting and training thousands of healthcare workers.
This will improve staffing levels at local facilities, reducing burnout among frontline staff and enhancing the quality of care. The other key focus is retention of the existing workforce.
For families, the continuation of the free flu vaccination program means better protection from preventable illnesses.
Investment in digital health technologies will improve coordination of care between Hervey Bay, Maryborough, and Brisbane specialists, giving residents faster diagnoses and better follow-up.
While the Fraser Coast will also benefit from road upgrades, cost-of-living support, and housing initiatives, healthcare stands out as the key focus in this year’s budget.
Currently, I remain optimistic that these investments can improve access and equity in health services on the Fraser Coast.
Dr Nick Yim - Hervey Bay Doctors
