The new 750 multi-daybed Gold Coast University Hospital which is one of a number of ‘mega-hospitals’ underway around the country is one of the largest and most complex building projects ever undertaken by the State Government, according to construction consultants Davis Langdon.

Davis Langdon’s Brisbane-based director Phil Plant said the immense size of the project, in excess of 165,000 square metres, and the tight timeframes set down for its completion make it a ‘stand-out’ project.

“It is anticipated that 2,300 construction workers will be on site at the peak of construction  in 2010. This will provide a massive financial injection to the local economy through the construction industry,” he said.

Davis Langdon was appointed cost consultants to the project which will be located on Parklands Drive at Southport, approximately four kilometres west of the Southport CBD.

The teaching hospital campus will occupy approximately 19 hectares and will be part of a 130 hectare Gold Coast Hospital and Knowledge Precinct. The project is expected to be completed in 2012.

Mr Plant said Davis Langdon had been working on the project for more than 12 months during which time it has provided cost advice on all aspects of the design and construction of the works and has just completed negotiations with Bovis Lend Lease for their role as managing contractor.

“This is a truly massive project and to put it into some sort of context consider these details,” said Mr Plant.

“There will be 300,000 cubic metres of excavation required, 130,000 square metres of carpet laid, 200,000 square metres of partitioning installed, 70,000 cubic metres of concrete laid and in excess of 6,000 doors installed.”

Mr Plant said work was about to start on site.

Davis Langdon is no stranger to large scale State Government projects having previously undertaken a similar role on the Herston Hospital Redevelopment. Davis Langdon is also involved in the current Cairns and Rockhampton Hospital projects.

Interstate Davis Langdon played a major role in the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Victoria and the Liverpool Hospital in New South Wales.

Davis Langdon’s managing director, Mark Beattie, said major infrastructure projects being undertaken by local, State and federal Governments at national level would be a major part of the construction industry’s work pipeline in 2009.

For further information, contact Meaghan Jones on +61 3 9933 8800 or email mjones2@davislangdon.com.au