Council issues 100 fines a month as parking problem around Redcliffe Hospital grows

Parking on streets around this busy hospital north of Brisbane is so out of control the State Government is stepping in. POLL

Illegal parking in streets surrounding Redcliffe Hospital has grown out of control since the introduction of paid parking at the hospital – the State Government is stepping in to help find a solution.

It has been almost six months since the new multistorey hospital carpark (including the introduction of paid parking) opened at Redcliffe Hospital.

Moreton Bay Regional Council received close to 40 complaints in relation to parking in streets surrounding the hospital since November and dished out 373 penalty infringement notices – a dramatic rise from when the parking was free.

Shane Christall took this photo – highlighting how hard it can be to get out his driveway to due the number of people parking in streets surrounding the hospital.

Residents have reported having to miss work, medical appointments and being unable to have friends visit due to cars being parked across their driveways.

On Saturday more than 100 residents met with State Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath and Division 6 councillor Karl Winchester at Mungara Park to discuss parking issues at and around Redcliffe Hospital.

Parking at Redcliffe Hospital is capped at $13 a day – among the cheapest rates in southeast Queensland.

Residents were given a chance to voice their concerns and the elected representatives detailed council’s plan to paint marked parking bays and yellow lines near corners and over driveways – something many residents have been calling for and council had previously said was not possible.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said they believed it was hospital employees parking in the streets to avoid paying for parking.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has received 37 complaints in relation to parking in the streets surrounding Redcliffe Hospital since November 2020.

A resident snapped these photos of cars illegally parked across her driveway near the Redcliffe Hospital.

“Honestly I’m not surprised locals are fed up, the stats speak for themselves,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Since November 2020 we have handed down 373 penalty infringement notices and 13 warning tickets to vehicles parked illegally in streets surrounding the Redcliffe Hospital.”

In November last year the council announced it would paint marked parking bays in streets surrounding Redcliffe Hospital by early 2021.

Cr Flannery could not provide a start date for the project simply telling The Herald works would start “soon”.

Cars along Livermore Street near the Redcliffe Hospital. Picture: Renae Droop

The Mayor said council was also in discussions with the State Government and Metro North Health about the future of the temporary carpark created at the Redcliffe Showgrounds during the construction of the hospital’s multistorey carpark.

Cr Flannery said it was a “perfect solution for events parking, especially events at the site”.

Council is not just focusing on parking issues around the hospital either.

It has increased the number of parking officers and number of patrols through major CBD areas across the region in a bid to address illegal parking and help businesses with retail turnover.