A ROMA builder has become the first contractor to start work on the new hospital.

In a coup for local businesses, Brett Cherry Builders has been announced by the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as the successful tenderer to move and refurbish the pathology unit from where it is now to inside the actual hospital.

Mr Cherry said the contract would employ 20 Roma people and help him secure further government contracts to do with the hospital.

"Hopefully we can get some extra work with the hospital in the next few years,” he said.

"It will be a lot of refurbishing existing areas in the hospital to move the pathology unit into the existing hospital.

"Up to 20-odd locals will be employed at some point in the project. I want to keep people employed so it's a good pick-up.”

The pathology unit contract will take six weeks and was worth under $500,000, meaning Mr Cherry did not need to be pre-qualified to apply for the tender.

Maranoa councillor David Schefe called the news a win for the Roma community, council and Commerce Roma, who had all been urging the State Government to consider their local content policy for the hospital.

"I know that Queensland Health have worked hard towards making sure the locals get a crack,” he

said.

"It shows we've been successful and I think it shows that with a co-operative approach we can achieve it.

"Local contractors haven't always had the opportunity to show they can do it, particularly with bigger projects.”

Health Minister Cameron Dick has also revealed Jacobs as the principal design consultant for the hospital.

"Jacobs were involved in the development of the initial draft schematic design for the new hospital earlier this year,” he

said.

"As such, they are very well placed to take this important community project forward.

"As principal design consultant, Jacobs will now start undertaking the detailed architectural design of the new hospital.”