General News
29 September, 2026
‘New’ CBD digs revealed
THE Australian Red Cross’s Cairns Wellbeing Centre is to temporarily move into a city hotel at 8 Minnie Street, Cairns, from 19 October.
The move to the 46-room Heritage Cairns Hotel follows the Queensland Government’s announcement that the existing site will be acquired to expand Cairns Hospital, with the temporary location intended to ensure the wellbeing centre continues operating without interruption.
For more than a decade, the centre has provided accommodation for patients, carers and families travelling from remote, rural and regional communities across Far North Queensland to access medical care in Cairns.
Australian Red Cross Queensland director Collin Sivalingum said maintaining the service throughout the transition was a priority.
“We know the important role the wellbeing centre plays, which is why together with the Queensland Government we’re committed to ensuring the service continues while longer-term arrangements are progressed,” he said.
Accommodation and support services will be maintained throughout the transition. Existing booking processes and service access arrangements will remain unchanged.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said that keeping Australian Red Cross accommodation near Cairns Hospital had been a priority.
“The Cairns Hospital precinct expansion is critical to meeting growing healthcare demand across Far North Queensland,” she said. “The new health innovation and surgical centre will deliver additional operating theatres, day surgery and inpatient capacity, specialist outpatient services and new facilities for research, education and innovation – ultimately meaning more services for more patients.
“The location will allow the health innovation and surgical centre to connect directly with the existing hospital, supporting safe and efficient patient transfers and a more integrated health precinct.
“We are working closely with Red Cross on both the temporary arrangements and planning a new permanent facility, so this important accommodation service can continue for our patients into the future.”
The temporary relocation will take effect on 19 October, while Australian Red Cross and Queensland Health continue planning for a new permanent facility.
