Car park no health bonus
THE Gold Coast Health service has yet to receive a single dollar for the private car park that is operating on public land at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
A deal between State Government and Secure Parking signed in 2010 allows the operator to charge users up to $17 a day for parking while they visit sick family members or friends.
The Bulletin has previously revealed the costs have forced families to limit hospital visits because they could no longer afford the exorbitant fees.
But the Gold Coast Health annual report says that more than eight years since the deal was signed, the health system is yet to receive a single cent. The deal is in place until 2041.
The contract with the parking operator stipulated it build, own and operate the Gold Coast University Hospital western car park on land owned by Gold Coast Health.
“There was no revenue re“The Wednesday, October 3
ceived from (Secure Park subsidiary) SurePark Pty Ltd and no upfront payments made,” the report read. “The agreement provides for Gold Coast Health to receive a portion of revenue if certain conditions are met. A reliable estimate cannot yet be determined.”
Gold Coast Health was unable to provide details on the “certain conditions’’ referred to in the document.
contract with the operator of the Gold Coast University Hospital car park is commercial-in-confidence and we cannot provide further information about the specific terms,” a health spokeswoman told the Bulletin.
Gold Coast Health did not control the facility and therefore it was not recognised as an asset.
In October, Health Minister Steven Miles told the Bulletin the Government would continue to look at parking affordability options with the Gold Coast University Hospital.
But this week Dr Miles was unable to detail what progress had been made or what contact his office may have had with Secure Parking.
“The Palaszczuk Government are spending more money than ever before on hospital car parking concessions,” Dr Miles said.
“However, we’re always considering ways to ease the cost burden on patients and their families.”