Biggenden Health Workforce Accommodation
Overview
Fleetwood Australia was selected by Queensland Health to design, manufacture and install accommodation to replace the old nurses’ quarters and shared amenities at the Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service. Biggenden is located 287km north-west of Brisbane and its health facility provides a range of services, including emergency care. Because of the shift nature of the work undertaken by staff, privacy and separation between quarters was a key area of focus for the client.
Solution
By managing all aspects of the project – from design to manufacturing, installation and service connection – Fleetwood Australia was able to seamlessly deliver a high-quality solution that aligned with the needs of Queensland Health and Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service. One of the features of the accommodation is a ‘fishbone’ layout that minimises potential disruption to other units as staff come and go from their varying shifts. Fleetwood also successfully oversaw complex electrical management undertaken by its contractors, as a result of the need to maintain constant power to the health services in case of emergency.
The completed project includes:
- ️10 self-contained one-bedroom Yallambee Studio units with outdoor decks
- reverse cycle air-conditioning, laundry facilities and ensuites in each unit
- one unit equipped with accessibility ramps to suit people of all abilities
- freshly landscaped and grassed surroundings around unit block
- delivery within seven months of contract being awarded.
Benefits
Being able to attract and retain much-needed staff is always a challenge in a small regional community for an organisation like the Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service. By being able to offer these extremely comfortable and liveable units, each with its own bathroom facilities, the Service is better placed to be able to recruit and retain people who will provide essential health care and add to the overall fabric of the community.
The modular building methods used by Fleetwood Australia provided many benefits in this project. Primary among them was the delivery of quality accommodation at a cost comparable to traditional construction but in a much faster timeframe. Modular buildings are particularly suited to regional areas like Biggenden where building materials and labour may be in short supply and hard to access. Less than seven months elapsed from the time the contract was awarded in late March 2023 until installation was completed in October of the same year – another huge plus given the pressing need to provide more modern accommodation.
Biggenden Health Workforce Accommodation Gallery
