Crane naming comp results in donation to Gold Coast Hospital Foundation

The new name was the result of a competition held among staff across Gold Coast Health. This culminated in a $2,000 donation made by construction company, BESIX Watpac to Gold Coast Hospital Foundation on behalf of the winner, Iris.

‘Goldie’ reflects themes of optimism, local relevance, and quality of both construction and the service that will be provided at the unit once it opens.

Iris along with Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, Gold Coast Health and BESIX Watpac came together on site for a formal presentation of the donation to the Foundation – in support of the Foundation’s impactful work within the local community.

BESIX Watpac has been building the new SMHRU for Gold Coast Health, with site works commencing in April this year.

The concrete suspended slabs for Basement 1 and Lower Ground levels have now been poured and the project team anticipates the roof will go up in early 2024. Once the roof is on, the internal fit-out of the 40-bed, two-storey facility will begin.

‘Goldie the Crane’ has played an instrumental role in construction, including the pouring of 4,000m3 of concrete which is reinforced by more than 300t of reinforcement.

Working in a live hospital environment and integrating the new facility with existing hospital infrastructure have been key challenges that the project team has successfully managed through regular communication and exceptional planning.

The team has also adopted methods and processes to streamline construction. This has included leaving behind ground slabs to maximise the time in fit-out on the floors as well completing prototype rooms ahead of construction to facilitate user group feedback of the design.