Car parking at public hospitals in Queensland may soon be less burdensome as the state government plans to spend up to $7.5 million in the next four years to make car parking at public hospitals more affordable and accessible.
The budget is part of the state government’s four-point action plan, which will include expansion of car park facilities at public hospitals such as The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) in Chermside.
“I know the cost of car parking is a real concern for many patients, carers and their families,” said Health Minister Cameron Dick.
To address the parking needs at public hospitals, the state government will take the following actions as part of its four-point action plan.
- Develop car parking concessions policies at all hospital and health services with paid parking.
- Increase the number of concessional parking slots at public hospitals.
- Develop future public hospital car parks.
- Consider new parking options at Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
Government Directive
The cost of parking at public hospitals has been a major issue and burden to patients, their families and carers. The complaints had led to a petition signed by nearly 17,000 supporters, followed by a directive from the state government ordering public hospitals to make parking more affordable and accessible.
The state government issued a directive on 1 July 2017, requiring all public hospitals and health services in Queensland to come up with local policies to make car parking more accessible, safer and more affordable.
Hospitals and health services with paid parking must come up with a car parking concessions policy by 1 October 2017.
In addition, the public health facilities are also directed to develop a local staff car parking policy by 31 December 2017. This policy is intended to make parking safer on-call hospital staff or hospital employees completing or commencing shifts between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Read the state Health Service Directive here.
Car Parking Expansion at Public Hospitals
Part of the solution to parking issues at public hospitals is the expansion of car parking facilities. This is already being done in some facilities across Queensland, including Rockhampton Hospital, which will soon see the construction of an almost 600-space multi-storey car park. The carpark will be owned and operated by the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.
Caboolture Hospital will be providing up to 300 new car spaces, while 500 car parks will be added at Logan Hospital.
At The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside, the government is looking at options to expand car park availability. One option being considered is a proposal from the current operator under the Market-Led Proposals program of the Queensland Treasury.
“Our preferred approach for new multi-storey hospital car parks is to develop a Government Portfolio Model, financed by the Queensland Treasury Corporation,” said Mr Dick.
“However, private public partnerships will be retained as an option for circumstances where it can deliver a better outcome, for example, when we are developing a large ‘greenfield’ hospital site.”
