Logan Hospital’s new $5m staff carpark opens

PARKING stress around Logan Hospital will be eased after the opening of a new $5 million staff carpark.

Theresa Duckworth, Barjesh Bhanot, Cherie Lees and Grace Adokorach at the new Logan Hospital staff car park. Picture: Richard Walker

PARKING stress around Logan Hospital will be eased after a new $5 million carpark has opened.

For years, parking around the hospital has been a thorn in the side of the community, with many cars spilling out from the hospital grounds to residential streets, at Griffith University and makeshift carparks.

Theresa Duckworth, Barjesh Bhanot, Cherie Lees and Grace Adokorach at the new 655-space Logan Hospital staff car park. Picture: Richard Walker

The new staff carpark, located on TAFE land next to Logan Hospital, is expected to provide some relief with space for 655 car parks and 12 motorbikes.

Already it has taken pressure off patient parking and saved time for staff but it is also expected to provide a safer work environment.

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In the past, hospital employees have parked their cars on public land, known as the “cloverleaf” or “dust bowl” next to the Loganlea Rd overpass where they have copped fines, had their windows smashed and even their cars stolen.

A parking shortage at the Logan Hospital was causing motorists to spill out onto the streets and into makeshift carparks. Picture: John Gass

Last month, a nursing student was robbed at gunpoint and had her car stolen from the cloverleaf carpark.

Executive director of Logan Bayside Health Network Jacinta Powell said security has been a big focus of the new parking area.

“Safety is our main priority with the new car park equipped with lighting and security cameras,” Dr Powell said.

She said the new parking is available for all staff and students on afternoon and night shift — but won’t service all 2000 staff at the hospital.

“Students on day shift are unable to be accommodated due to the high demand for staff parking at this time,” Dr Powell said.

Health Minister Cameron Dick, Logan MP Linus Power, Logan Hospital Executive Director Jacinta Powell and Logan Bayside Health Network Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services Lorraine Stevenson announced the project last year.

“Many of our staff will continue to park in nearby streets and parking options in the greater Meadowbrook area as dictated by demand.”

The Queensland Government allocated $5 million to deliver the car park project as part of the greater plan for Meadowbrook in 2017.

Waterford MP Shannon Fentimen said as the second busiest emergency department in Queensland with 448-beds, Logan Hospital will always have demand for parking.

“The demand for onsite parking will continue to grow and I know that the ability to park on site is something that has been on the wishlist of many Logan Hospital staff — as well as the broader community for some time,” she said.

Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the carpark was a step towards addressing parking needs. “The vision for Logan is growing and evolving and we are planning to develop this location into a health and education precinct,” Mr Dick said.