REDLAND Hospital staff, patients and nearby businesses are caught in a growing parking squeeze, with concerns the problem is being pushed from hospital grounds into surrounding streets.
Division 2 councillor Peter Mitchell has called on Queensland Health and local State MPs to lead a working group to find parking and transport solutions, saying Council officers and councillors would welcome the chance to contribute.
“As the issue relates directly to staff and visitor parking, which is a State responsibility, I call on Queensland Health and State MPs to lead a working group seeking parking and transport solutions in the area,” Cr Mitchell said.
He said he had made the same request to State and Council representatives two years ago when hospital parking changes were introduced and safety concerns were emerging.
Cr Mitchell said he and Cr Rowanne McKenzie, who represent surrounding areas, expected the impacts to worsen in nearby residential and industrial streets and were already working with residents on solutions.
“With 40 per cent-plus capacity remaining in the multi-deck State car park, there must be room to move on a sensible, sustainable price plan for lower-paid or vulnerable staff, particularly after hours,” he said.
Cr Mitchell said Council had a legal and ethical obligation to act on safety recommendations, despite recognising the additional pressure restrictions could place on surrounding streets.
Division 3 councillor Paul Gollé said Council neither operated the Redland Hospital car park nor set its fees but was receiving complaints from residents and businesses about staff and patients parking along Wellington St and in nearby residential streets.
“When the decision was made to build additional parking at the hospital, the former government described it as a way to enhance parking capacity,” he said.
The concern comes as new No Stopping zones on Wellington St, between South St and Coburg St West are due.
As part of the safety measures, Council will also reduce Wellington St’s speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h and resurface the road.
The change is intended to improve safety and make parking restrictions clearer, but businesses fear it will force more vehicles into surrounding residential streets and the Cleveland industrial area.
Redland Hospital has 1532 parking spaces, including 1095 in its multi-storey car park, with current occupancy around 59 per cent.
Staff can access a discounted daily rate of $7.95, reduced to $7.23 through salary packaging.
Casual staff are eligible for the $7.95 rate but cannot access salary packaging, while staff undertaking on-call or recall duties can park free in the P2 car park.
State Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker said the Government was committed to improving access to health services, including through safe and affordable parking.
“Car park rates at many of our busy public hospitals have remained unchanged since being set by the former Labor government in 2016.”
