A REDLAND City Council safety review into parking along Wellington St, Cleveland, is nearing completion, with local councillors calling for urgent collaboration with the State Government to address growing concerns about the safety and availability of parking near Redland Hospital.
Cr Peter Mitchell said council officers were finalising a safety assessment of the area, which has become increasingly congested since changes were introduced to the hospital’s multi-storey car park.
“Matters are progressing,” Cr Mitchell said.
“I understand RCC officers are close to a completed safety assessment.
“The process, timing and costs to implement any findings and recommendations need to come back to councillors for consideration.”
He said the safety review itself would identify key issues, but not necessarily the solutions – or who should be responsible for them.
Cr Mitchell said multiple agencies, including the State Government, Queensland Health and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, may need to play a role.
Leading calls for action are Cr Mitchell (Economic Development and Division 2), Cr Rowanne Mackenzie (Planning and Division 7), and Cr Shane Rendalls (Transport), who are pushing for the matter to be addressed swiftly in their respective portfolio areas.
“A Council briefing is likely within the next two months, or earlier if a whole-of-council workshop is required,” Cr Mitchell said.
He said it was the view of the three councillors that State MPs and departments must be engaged.
“Indeed, a State-shared ‘lead’ seems appropriate. A shared contribution to the solutions and required funding will achieve a faster and more sustainable community outcome,” Cr Mitchell said.
“Council is an enthusiastic and willing partner in actioning shared solutions but cannot do the State’s work for them.”
Cr Rendalls said his primary concern was the safety of hospital staff and patients parking on Wellington St, pedestrians and road users.
“We need a sustainable solution that allows people to safely commute to and from the hospital while also protecting the amenity of residents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cr McKenzie said a shared solution was required to resolve this safety issue for hospital staff and road users.
“Without a change in the pricing structure of the paid parking, a simple yellow line along Wellington St will only push more parking into the already impacted nearby residential streets,” she said.
“This safety issue was created by the state, and they need to be proactively assisting Council in delivering a viable solution.”
The safety review was launched after residents and health workers raised concerns about shift workers walking long distances in the dark due to limited on-site parking at the hospital.
Many staff say the cost of paid parking – about $7.95 per day for staff and $13 for visitors – is unaffordable, especially for lower-paid workers.
Metro South Health has defended the pricing model, saying it is set on a cost-recovery basis and includes discounted options, security features, and end-of-trip facilities for staff.
However, Cr Mitchell said the hospital car park remained under-utilised, claiming it was about 75 per cent empty, and urged Metro South Health to consider more “compassionate, demand-focused pricing” to ensure the infrastructure is fully used.
“We need practical, compassionate solutions like generous staff discounts, shuttle buses, or public transport upgrades to make parking safe and affordable for our health workers,” he said.
Redland City Council says it has already implemented no-stopping zones along Wellington St to assist with pedestrian and traffic safety but warned that any changes to on-street parking could impact surrounding streets.
“Council is mindful that any changes or restrictions to parking in this area would have impacts on nearby residential streets and, as such, is working closely with the Queensland Government to identify a shared parking solution,” a spokesperson said.
