Croydon and Ringwood MPs call for action to fix Maroondah Hospital parking crisis

ONE hundred more car parks at an outer east hospital will not go far enough to solve the ‘crisis situation’ for patients and visitors, say campaigners.

There is a car parking shortage at Maroondah Hospital. Picture: Stuart Milligan

THE parking crisis at Maroondah Hospital has come under increased fire, with state MPs calling for action amid uncertainty around added car spaces.

There is a planning permit before the council to construct 100 more car spaces on Grey St, next to the hospital.

The plans submitted by Eastern Health earmark car parking at 12-16 Grey St, where medical centres operate.

It states all of the site would be used for parking, however Eastern Health refused to comment on whether the buildings would be demolished, or what the project would cost.

Rear parking is also proposed at 8 and 10 Grey St.

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But Ringwood state Liberal MP Dee Ryall said the hospital should not have to spend any money on car parks and called on the State Government to pay for extra spaces.

She said the situation was “at crisis point”.

“We don’t want another review; we know the problem so we just want it fixed,” Ms Ryall said.

There is a car parking shortage at Maroondah Hospital. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Complaints stretch back more than a decade, with disabled, elderly and even suicidal people forced to park long distances from the entrance.

A group of people met with Leader recently to share concerns.

“I was a patient here recently for several weeks and my daughter couldn’t even visit because there was just no parking,” John DePetro, of Ringwood, said.

Another Maroondah woman said it was easier to catch the bus when she was sick, because it was too difficult to find a parking space.

Ms Ryall and Croydon state Liberal MP David Hodgett echoed their concerns, saying they both received numerous calls about the situation every week.

And the Maroondah Breast Cancer Centre built beside the hospital has added to parking pressure, they said.

Minister for Health spokeswoman Evelyn Ek did not answer specific questions about whether the Government would commit to added parking but said it was looking closely at what could be done.

Eastern Health Projects and Sustainability acting executive director Allison Harle said hospital staff were encouraged to consider alternative transport, including car pooling, or public transport.

Mayor Tony Dib said the council would investigate the planning permit in coming months.
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