Robina Hospital medical staff vehicles locked inside free car park after council installs gate

A parking blitz at a major Gold Coast Hospital has left doctors and nurses fuming after their cars were locked into a popular free parking area.

A PARKING blitz at a major Gold Coast Hospital has left doctors and nurses fuming after their cars were locked into a popular free parking area.

Medical shift workers from Robina Hospital who were coming off nightshift Friday morning found their cars locked into the small 100 vehicle parking area close to the Mudgeeraba Creek.

Stadiums Queensland who has control of the park had locked the space in anticipation of an event at Cbus stadium, however hospital staff contacted by the Bulletin say they were unaware of the restrictions.

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Some of the Robina Hospital staff who had finished overnight shift to find their vehicles locked inside a free car.

“It was ridiculous, we were given no notice and now weren't able to get out on time,” a Robina doctor said.

“People came off from a long night working to find they were locked in.

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“Now they had to wait around to be let out, that is the last thing they need.”

The lockable gates were installed at the entrance and exit of the car park in March.

“This now also means all staff and patients who would usually use this car park have to pay,” he said.

“This car park is a long way from the stadium and I find it ridiculous it gets closed off.”

The parking area which accommodates up to 100 vehicle regularly is free, outside of event days at the Cbus Stadium.

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A sign that states the area is a tow-away zone during events.

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The debacle was slammed by another staff member who said they already struggle to find adequate and regular parking.

“The issue has caused the regular car park at the hospital to over flow,” she said.

“Robina healthcare are workers told to pay for parking, but parking complex can’t hold single shift while the TransLink carpark lies mostly empty.

“Workers face fines exceeding single shift’s wages just to come to work.”

Yesterday morning a sign was out the front of the car park that stated it would be locked and closed from 2.20am for major events at Cbus super stadium and there would be no public parking and to make alternative arrangements on Friday April 12, Sunday April 21 and Saturday May 18.

The dates the car park will be closed and locked by Council.

Gold Coast City Council parking conditions sign outside of the car park next to the hospital.

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A spokeswoman for the Gold Coast City Council said it is a council car park but on game days it’s Stadiums Queensland responsibility.

“The City has an arrangement with Stadiums Queensland which allows them to access and manage the car park during these periods,” she said.

“Stadiums Queensland is responsible for creating and implementing traffic management plans inside the designated Robina Stadium Traffic Area for events at their stadiums.

“There is signage at the car park indicating restrictions on game days.”

The Bulletin contacted the Stadiums Queensland asking why the car park is reserved on those dates and why hospital staff haven’t been told prior, but they didn’t respond with a comment by print deadline.

Robina Hospital.

A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman told the Bulletin “there are no issues with parking availability.

“There are 960 carparking spaces for staff and patients at Robina Hospital and the nearby Robina Health Precinct,” she said.

“Gold Coast Health has a secure multistorey carparking facility complete with CCTV, duress points and secure access which is for the exclusive use of its workforce. Cost is $5 a day.”