HOSPITAL PARKING’S HIGH- RISE SOLUTION
Minister to consider funding hospital’s multi- storey solution
TOWNSVILLE Hospital looks set to get a multi- storey carpark with a proposal to be put before the board in the coming weeks.
It comes as staff are being forced to illegally park in public areas or arrive up to an hour before a shift to find a spot to avoid being late.
Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick conceded something needed to be done to solve the parking crisis, saying he would consider funding the project once a proposal was on his desk.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service chairman John Bearne said consultants had almost finished investigating the options for a multi- storey carpark with the board to be presented with three options: staff- only, public- only or both.
“Longer term we won’t have any option but for staff to go up into multi- storey,” Mr Bearne said. “( Once) we decide what option … then we can choose the rest of it, like how many storeys it will be.
“Multi- storey carparks are not in the annual budget so we would be looking for assistance from government.”
Mr Dick, who was in Townsville over the weekend, said he would consider funding the carpark once a proposal h had been settled on.
“My desire would be to see m more car parks at the hospital and better lighting to improve security,” he said.
“I’m happy to talk to them about ( funding). Other hospitals in Queensland have developed parking plans including multi- storey carparks.
“That’s an issue for the hospital and health service and I would like them to investigate it first and pursue it for them- selves to see how far they can go. If that remains a problem, I’m happy to talk to them.”
The Queensland Nurses Union called for a multi- storey carpark to guarantee the safety of its members. It was first touted by former health minister Lawrence Springborg in 2012.
Meanwhile, Mr Dick promised the Government wouldn’t change the structure of hospital boards but didn’t rule out moving on board members when their contracts expire. “We will renew and replace board members over time.”