Unusual plan to ease carpark problems at Redcliffe Hospital

RESIDENTS have been praying for a miracle solution to carparking pain at this southeast Queensland hospital. Have their prayers been answered?

A shortage of carparks has long been a problem at Redcliffe Hospital. Could this new idea be a solution?

RESIDENTS have been praying for a miracle solution to carparking pain at this southeast Queensland hospital. Have their prayers been answered?

A chronic shortage of parking at Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane, has long been a problem and is shaping up to once again be a hot issue in the lead-up to the next State Election.

State LNP candidate for Redcliffe, Kerri-Anne Dooley, said on her Facebook page that the open space next to Redcliffe Uniting Church at Richens St should be used as another car park.

Mrs Dooley, who is a member of the church, said it was just a “short-term solution”.

Rev Paul Clark said he was well aware of the issue.

“I drive past there every day on the way to work and see how congested it is,” Mr Clark said, adding that the church was open to the idea of leasing the space for staff or visitor parking.

“It is not much of a walk to the hospital,” Mr Clark said.

It is about 700m between the church and the hospital, or a 10-minute walk.

Mr Clark said it would be only a short-term solution as the church planned to develop the space.

Mrs Dooley said they had prepared a draft proposal to submit to the hospital car parking committee.

It included putting crusher dust over the grass and possibly charging a small fee.

Comment was sought from state Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath but she has not yet responded.