Concerns were raised today about the sale of two inner-city government buildings.

The current tenants provide public dental care, and they’d have to move premises outside the CBD.

Rebecca Thompson reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Both the buildings are side-by-side in the CBD end of Turbot Street.

Both are occupied by UQ’s School of Dentistry, one is more than 70-years-old the other over 100.

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Opposition Leader: “This is an asset sale, pure and simple.”

But it’s something the Premier claims is normal government practise.

Campbell Newman, Qld Premier: “Governments buy and sell land all the time.”

The dental hospital has provided free dental care since the 1940s.

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Opposition Leader: “This is a community facility, this is where people have come for generations to get their dental work done.”

The news is worrying elderly people who rely on it being a free and centrally located facility.

Vera Somerwil, Seniors Association spokesperson: “Their dental health is very important because once they lose their ability to eat with a set of teeth, they go hungry.”

The State Government says the School of Dentistry will eventually move to a purpose-built facility in Herston.

With prime city real estate at a premium, this block is sure to be highly sought after in the coming months.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says the expressions of interest will be sent out to developers in the coming days.

Rebecca Thompson, QUT News.