E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the urgent need for expanded health education infrastructure on the northern Gold Coast. With the Coomera Public Hospital and multiple private hospitals scheduled to open between 2028 and 2032, and continued population growth, demand for skilled healthcare professionals is accelerating. The region faces a critical shortage of nurses and allied health staff.

TAFE Queensland has a proven track record, graduating thousands of health students annually. However, existing facilities are nearing capacity, and Southport’s infrastructure is approaching end-of-life. A purpose-built Centre of Excellence at TAFE Coomera will deliver state-of-the-art training aligned with Queensland Government workforce targets—45,000 additional health professionals by 2032. Coomera’s proximity to new hospitals and available land makes it the ideal location for this strategic investment.

Assistant in Nursing (AIN) and Enrolled Nurse roles are foundational to healthcare delivery. By providing modern facilities and hands-on learning opportunities, this Centre will ensure a robust pipeline of qualified professionals to meet community needs and support the health and wellbeing of our growing population.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to prioritise funding for a TAFE Centre of Excellence in Health and Nursing at Coomera within the government’s capital investment plans, ensuring the northern Gold Coast is equipped to train the workforce required for the future of healthcare.