The Queensland government will spend $70 million to build a new hospital in the state's west.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says a new hospital is needed in Roma, west of Brisbane, because the current one, opened in 1940, is out of date.
"Honestly, from having a look at the state of this hospital I am determined there will be a brand new hospital on this site," Ms Palaszczuk said in Roma on Thursday.
Ms Palaszczuk said the new hospital will increase capacity from 3000 to 3500 patients a year and create 250 jobs during its construction.
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg agreed a hospital was needed, insisting it was a priority of the former Liberal National Party government in which he served as health minister.
"Roma was seriously neglected by the previous Bligh government," he said.
"It just had to be rebuilt because one side of the hospital was falling off ... so this is a continuation of what the LNP planned in government."
Ms Palaszczuk said the new hospital was part of the government's $180 million enhancing regional hospitals program.
The premier travelled to Roma on Thursday after spending the day in Townsville promising a fast-tracked capital works program for the state's north following Clive Palmer-owned Queensland Nickel's decision to sack 237 workers.
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