Gold Coast development: Innovative solution to parking shortage in Varsity Lakes

A Gold Coast suburb increasingly known for its parking shortage is set to become home to an innovative hi-tech solution for drivers.

A GOLD Coast suburb increasingly known for its parking shortage is set to become home to an innovative hi-tech solution.

Varsity Lakes Day Hospital will convert its rooftop into a 65-space carpark for its staff in a bid to free up room for its patients.

Two car lifts will be installed in the basement which will ferry cars to the roof and back.

DEMAND VARSITY LAKES DEVELOPER SCRAP TOWERS FOR CARPARK

The Varsity Day Hospital

The lifts will be valet-operated and run simultaneously, allowing for up to 22 cars to be parked per hour.

The building’s existing stairwells will be extended.

The new rooftop carpark will have awnings over the vehicles which will be covered with more than 474 solar panels.

It will free up space in the existing basement carpark for visitors and patients.

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An example of the type of car lift which will be installed at the hospital.

A planning report to council said the area’s lack of parking was increasingly exacerbated by

the neighbouring Varsity College.

Area councillor Hermann Vorster said the carpark would provide relief to frustrated drivers.

“Commercial development in Varsity Lakes has left staff short-changed and made the precinct unworkable for many businesses,” he said.

“This will turn a wasted rooftop into a carpark and unlock the potential of this local hospital without destroying the amenity for locals.

“It sends a clear message that developers have the a capacity to provide more carparking and we should treat them more heavy handed during future amendments to the city plan.”