New Caboolture Hospital car park will not be free to use

Work on a long awaited parking upgrade for a busy public hospital north of Brisbane has started but the sting to follow is that it won’t be free to use when it opens.

The State Government is investing $394.6 million into upgrades at Caboolture Hospital, including a new multistorey carpark but it will come at a cost to residents.

Construction has started on the major upgrades which will include a new five storey Clinical Services Building, 130 new beds, refurbished spaces within the hospital and a new multistorey carpark.

Parking at Caboolture Hospital is currently free but that will change when the new carpark opens in late 2022.

A concept image of the new five-storey clinical services building that will be built at the Caboolture Hospital.

Recently appointed Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, who is also the state Labor MP for Redcliffe, said the multistorey carpark project would cost $41.7 million and create 1,080 spaces.

This is almost double the amount spent on the new four-storey Redcliffe Hospital multistorey carpark which opened in September.

“The new carpark is due to open in late 2022 and will include accessible parking spaces, charging stations for electric vehicles and motorcycle parking,” Ms D’Ath said.

“All onsite parking, including spaces outside the multistorey car park, will be tariffed when the new carpark opens.

A concept image of what Caboolture Hospital’s main entrance will look like after the redevelopment.

“Tariffs will be set and announced closer to the opening date.

“It can be expected tariffs will be similar to Redcliffe Hospital and concessional parking rates will be available for vulnerable patients and visitors.”

Parking at Redcliffe Hospital starts at $5 for visits lasting 1-2 hours with all day parking capped at $13.

PARKING FINES DOUBLE AS PAID PARKING STARTS AT REDCLIFFE HOSPITAL

A concept image of the new multi storey car park at Redcliffe Hospital.

Mrs D’Ath said parking would remain free during construction.

“All parking on the hospital grounds is free during the construction period and public carparking has been established at the back of the hospital, bordering Caboolture State High School,” she said.

“The public carpark is close to the new main entry and can be accessed via Bury Street or Mewett Street.

“Accessible footpaths link the public carpark to the new main entry into the hospital, as well as Specialist Outpatients, Mental Health and Community and Oral Health buildings.”

The entire upgrade project, which created approximately 350 jobs, and be finished by 2023.