LNP Candidate for Bowman, Henry Pike, and State Member for Oodgeroo, Mark Robinson MP, have received a strong public response to their push to maintain free parking at Redland Hospital.
Over 1,000 locals have signed an online petition expressing their opposition to the State Government’s plan to impose parking fees across the hospital campus.
A new multi-level carpark is currently being built at Redland Hospital with the support of a $16 million contribution from the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government.
Mr Pike said that the State Labor Government had revealed that they not only intend on imposing fees on the new carpark, but across all the areas where it is currently free to park.
“The community is very concerned that they are being seen as a cash cow to fill central coffers,” Mr Pike said.
“The Federal Government did not help fund this new carpark just to create a new revenue stream for the State Government.”
“We want to see the State Government change their position and commit to keeping parking free at Redland Hospital.”
Dr Robinson noted the level of concern in the community for the impact the fees will have on regular users of the hospital.
“Our hard-working hospital staff are already being let down by a broken system. The last thing we need is for them to be stung by new parking fees.” Dr Robinson said.
“Hospitals are an asset for the whole community, they shouldn’t be funded solely by staff, patients and visitors.”
Mr Pike and Dr Robinson are writing to the Health Minister to express the depth of community concern about the proposed fee imposition.
The petition can be accessed at tinyurl.com/freeparkingRedlandHospital
The Metro South Local Health Network received over $776 million from the Commonwealth Government last financial year. That represents a $371 million increase (or 92%) from the level of funding received in 2013.