Redland Hospital’s carpark caught up in MP battle

Bowman MP Andrew Laming has called on the State Government to make its case for money to build the Redland Hospital carpark but the State says there’s no need.

Bowman MP Andrew Laming says he is waiting for an EOI from the State Government to get funding for the carpark underway. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Federal Bowman MP Andrew Laming’s “dollar for dollar” pledge to co-fund the Redland Hospital multistorey carpark by Christmas has reached a stalemate.

Mr Laming called for the State Government to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in order to establish a “value for money” assessment for the multistorey carpark project.

“If they’re happy to tell us it’s $15 million ... if they tell us exactly the figure ... and submit the EOI ... it’s dollar for dollar, it’s not in kind,” Mr Laming said.

But the request was rejected by the State Government, with Health Minster Steven Miles saying his Government was not required to submit an EOI.

Mr Miles said the Federal Government had announced funding for health projects in other regions, including Townsville and Cairns, without proposals from Queensland Health.

“If Andrew Laming thinks it isn’t possible for the Federal Government to provide funding for the carpark, why did he stand up in parliament and promise to fund half?” Mr Miles said.

“While we’ve been busy doing the hard work to make this happen and investing in a detailed business case, Andrew Laming has been making commitments only to renege.”

Mr Miles said the State Government had written to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt asking him to deliver on “Andrew’s promise”.

“And I’ll wait for his response,” Mr Miles said.

Redland carpark challenge by Bowman MP

Laming calls for “value for money” carpark

Mr Miles said the precedent for the Federal Government to announce funding without an EOI existed.

“The Federal Government have already announced funding for health projects in other regions including Townsville and Cairns without proposals from Queensland Health,” he said.

“There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of the Morrison Government giving us funding toward the Redland Hospital carpark.”

Funding for a carpark at Townsville’s hospital was a prototype for the Redland Hospital build, Health Minister Steven Miles said.

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However, Mr Laming said he was standing firm on calling for the State Government to submit a “value for money assessment” to the Federal Government to co-fund the Redland Hospital carpark.

“There must be an EOI,” he said.

“I need the offer from the State .. it’s their build.”

“I”m not handing over any money and made that clear. We don’t want another roundabout.”

Last week Mr Laming rejected the State Government’s claims the carpark would cost $36 million saying $15 million was closer to the figure provided to him by two independent contractors.

“We won’t offer funds without a value for money assessment,” Mr Laming said.

He said the “roundabout fiasco” at Shore St and Wellington St, Cleveland was an example of what happened “if an EOI isn’t requested”.

Mr Laming said in the case of the roundabout the money he offered the State Government in 2016 was deemed insufficient to get the roundabout upgrade done after the figure for the works was “inflated” by the government.

The State Government has rejected this claim.

“Greg (Hunt) is aware that I am calling on both Governments for an immediate solution to carparking,” Mr Laming said.

“I am confident that I can deliver on a value for money application, but not a highball offer.”

“I will only pay what is value for money and only for a carpark of appropriate size - we don’t need 800 park facility for a 140 bed hospital.”

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Mr Laming also questioned if Queensland Health knew the cost of the carpark already why was it continuing with its “study”.

“I am confident it (the study) can be completed in the two-three months to allow construction to begin second half of this year,” Mr Laming said.

“I again call on Health Minister Miles to submit a sensible offer for value-for-money assessment.”

“If they terminate the unhelpful 12 month study, I can put my efforts into meeting half of the costs asap.”

“This is about a ‘value-for-money’ carpark by Christmas, not shuffling more paperwork until the next Election.”