‘Government won’t throw money at new car park at Bankstown Hospital’
Parking at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is at a crisis point with the council saying people cannot wait for the new hospital to be built to solve the problem.
The Express
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Canterbury Bankstown Council wants a multi-storey car park for Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital to deal with “grossly inadequate” parking facilities, even though a new $1.3 billion new hospital has been promised by the NSW Government.
Labor councillor Steve Tuntevski, who moved the motion at the recent council meeting, said the new hospital will take at least 10 years to be built but a bigger car park is urgently needed now.
However, East Hills state Liberal MP Wendy Lindsay said the government will not throw money at a new car park which will be demolished when the new hospital comes up.
“The new $1.3 billion hospital is in the clinical services planning stage and we are also spending $25 million for the new emergency department at the hospital,” Ms Lindsay said.
“There is no secrecy regarding Bankstown Hospital ...the clinical services plan is being done first with consultation with doctors, specialists etc regarding what is required.
“We expect this will be completed next year when the master plan will be discussed.”
Ms Lindsay acknowledged that parking is a problem at the hospital but said “it is completely impractical to build a new car park now”.
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital General Manager Peter Rophail said the new hospital will include expanded parking. Currently there are more than 550 car spaces.
“South Western Sydney Local Health District is working with the council and other key stakeholders to explore additional options for more parking in the vicinity of the hospital in the interim,” he said.
“A green travel plan encouraging sustainable travel, such as walking, cycling, car-pooling and
public transport, is also being developed.”
Cr Tuntevski said more car spaces are urgently needed because of safety issues.
He said there is a parking crisis at and around the hospital, forcing some people to be late for their doctors’ appointment or having to walk a distance, accompanied by sick or frail patients.
“Patients, visitors and hospital staff have always found it difficult to find a car parking spot in
or around Bankstown Hospital,” Cr Tuntevski said.
“However in recent years it’s been almost impossible ... it’s stressful enough attending the emergency department or visiting a gravely ill family member and the last thing you
should have to worry about is finding a parking spot.
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“The current parking facilities at Bankstown Hospital are grossly inadequate and nearby residential streets have become congested with parked cars and traffic most of the day and night, making it dangerous for pedestrians and road users.”
Cr Tuntevski said it is the NSW Government’s responsibility to provide adequate parking at the hospital.
“Patients, visitors and staff can’t wait another 10 or so years for the new hospital to be built as the current car parking crisis will get much, much worse,” he said.