State Government announces plan for new carpark at Redcliffe Hospital

AFTER years of lobbying, a busy southeast Queensland hospital will finally get a multistorey carpark, but it is anticipated the previously free parking will be lost.

• Plan to ease carpark problems
• Still no funding for hospital carpark
• Report due on hospital parking woes

AFTER years of lobbying, the State Government has announced plans to build a multistorey carpark at a busy southeast Queensland hospital.

But it could cost people up to $15 a day to use it.

Finding a spot to park at Redcliffe Hospital, located just north of Brisbane, has been a painful experience for staff, patients and visitors for years.

State Labor MP for Redcliffe and Health Minister Cameron Dick visited the hospital today to make the announcement.

The project, for which a cost is yet to be announced, will be built under the State Government’s new Four Point Action plan for hospital car parking.

Mrs D’Ath said it was “incredibly exciting” to be able to make the announcement.

“It has been a long time coming, the community has been crying out for real solution, a long-term solution for car parking at Redcliffe Hospital,” Mrs D’Ath said.

Patient Wendy Callaghan, Minister for Health Cameron Dick and State Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D'Ath at Redcliffe Hospital. Photo: Erin Smith

She said it would not just benefit Redcliffe Peninsula residents but patients who travelled from across the Moreton Bay Region to access services and visit patients.

“This is akin to announcing the Redcliffe Peninsula train line — I could not be more excited,” she said.

Mrs D’Ath said it would cost to use the new carpark but said the plan was to cap the price at around $15 a day and then offer concessions.

Mr Dick said planning and community consultation for the project would begin in the next few weeks.

“The process from here will be to develop a business case when we do that we look at all sorts of issues that will impact on the multistorey carpark,” Mr Dick said.

“That will be how many car parks do we need, we already have 700 car parks here we think we need at least another 250 or there abouts to deal with the additional car parking that’s required.”

He said the future demand, potential services and feedback from staff and the community would also be taken into consideration.

Mr Dick said it would take six months to get the business plan right.

“With the aim to turn the sod and start construction by the middle of next year,” he said.

Mr Dick said the funding was not dependent on the Labor Party being re-elected at the pending state election.

State LNP candidate for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley stopped short of committing to the project if the LNP is elected at the looming State Election and called on the State Government to reveal the funding details.

“I will keep pushing to see the detail and ensure that this carpark is delivered for the people of Redcliffe,” she said.