Coronavirus: Gold Coast health workers still paying for parking in COVID-19 pandemic

Exhausted health workers driving to work to avoid abuse and social contact are still forking out big bucks to park, despite the coronavirus outbreak.

EXHAUSTED Gold Coast health workers driving to work to avoid abuse and social contact are being forced to pay up to $100 a fortnight for parking in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak – but the carparking giant won’t budge on its fees.

The State Government has called on contractor Secure Park to offer cheaper or free parking during the pandemic, following similar moves in Victoria where medicos were granted free street parking.

The push follows letters from Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates and a staff petition pleading for the Government and Secure Park to help out.

Nurses have told the Bulletin they have been forced to use their cars instead of public transport to avoid abuse and to observe social distancing measures.

A vehicle coming out of the Secure Parking at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the department spoken with the operator.

“I have been heartened by the acts of kindness I’ve seen on social media and heard about in our hospitals. Normal Queenslanders are offering to cook meals, walk dogs or put together care packages for hospital staff,” Mr Miles said.

“This is how it should be, all Queenslanders getting behind the incredibly hardworking nurses, doctors, health professionals and paramedics.

“Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service has already approached the car park owner about how they can provide cheaper or free carparking.”

The minister said a final agreement should not take vital health funds away from delivering care to coronavirus patients.

“We also have to ensure patients, parents and guardians, visitors and volunteers can also still access parking.”

A spokesman for Secure Parking said it takes fee guidance from Queensland Health.

“Secure Parking takes direction from Queensland Health on the parking rates that are in place at the Gold Coast University Hospital Car Park,” a spokesperson said.

Ms Bates said parking fees were very expensive for staff who now have no other choice on how they get to work.

“We need to make it easier for the people on the frontline saving lives to get to work, not make it harder – we need to show some compassion.”

Ms Bates said other businesses like Cbus Stadium had stepped up to the plate, opening up its parking for all hospital staff.

Workers at the Gold Coast University Hospital are paying around $100 a fortnight for parking. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)

The Bulletin understands Southport sharks are also offering more parking space, for $6 a day.

Ms Bates said the car park should never have been privatised in the first place.

“The Government needs to be able to provide some sort of cost relief to those workers,” she said.

Staff say they choose to drive to work over public transport, following a number of attacks on colleagues over coronavirus fears, and welcome any help to relieve the cost pressure.

“I used to use the tram but I now drive because we have been advised to not use public transport due to abuse and social distancing. Now we are doing longer hours, the transport isn’t as reliable as it stops at midnight during the week,” a nurse told the Bulletin.

“The surrounding streets have had the two-hour restrictions lifted but safety-wise it’s not viable really.”

The Change.org petition started by local Sandra Johnston has so far received more than 600 signatures of support.