Goulburn Base Hospital nurses granted lights to help find their cars after shift

Nurses have been forced to walk alone - or chaperoned by a wardsman - to and from their cars after shifts as work goes on at Goulburn Base Hospital. However, there is hope that is about to change.

In a big win for nursing staff at Goulburn Base Hospital - forced to walk near ‘dubious’ Victoria Park on dark streets before and after shifts - Goulburn Mulwaree Council is investigating better lighting options to allay safety fears.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and Goulburn District Unions have been calling for better lighting along the streets surrounding Goulburn Base Hospital, especially between the Chisholm Ross building and Deccan St, as it undergoes its $165 million redevelopment.

‘Dubious’ activities in Victoria Park are causing concerns. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

Hospital staff fear for their safety walking between Chisholm Ross Centre and Deccan St in Goulburn. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

Staff have reported feeling unsafe at night, even asking for wardmen from the hospital to walk them to their cars parked along dark streets and through Victoria Park.

Goulburn Districts Unions president Anna Wurth-Crawford, a retired nurse, said: “With the new build for the hospital, nurses aren’t sure when there will be a secure and adequate carpark for them.

“The hospital is situated in a residential area and the car parking is very limited in the streets and in the evening when nurses finish their shifts, it’s dark, and the nurses have been asking, when available, the wardsmen to walk them to their car, which may be another block away.

“They also don’t want to spend 10-15 minutes looking for a park to start their shift.”

Ms Wurth-Crawford said the “dubious” activities that go on in Victoria Park at night, which is situated near the hospital, caused further concern for nurses and added to the safety risks staff face.

The matter was discussed at a recent Goulburn Mulwaree Council meeting and councillor Margaret O’Neill said she would be concerned for her safety if she had to walk in that area at night.

“It’s very very dark up there, unless they bring a security person out, I’d hate to be a woman coming out.”

The council’s director of operations, Matt O’Rourke, estimated 10 lights would be needed along Clifford St, between the Chisholm Ross building and Deccan St. He estimated the street lights would cost $15,000 each.

The redevelopment of Goulburn Base Hospital has taken away parking from nursing staff during the work.

He also said currently, there were a few faulty street lights that were previously removed and have not been replaced since.

“When installing the LED lights, they also removed some old lights that weren't working,” he said.

“It looks to me that they’ve removed those lights but haven’t replaced them yet. Or they’ve not been replaced for some reason. As part of this investigation, we will look into that as well.”

Mayor Bob Kirk agreed, saying more street lights “is a good idea.”

“Given that through the hospital development we have changed the parking arrangements, which pull all those staff members out of Prell St, out of Goldsmith St,” Cr Kirk said.

“That’s a consequence of that action and we’re going to investigate this.”

The council passed the motion to investigate funding for the installation of street lights on Clifford Street between the Chisholm Ross building and Deccan Street.