The council says it will not tolerate any cost shifting to police parking changes during Goulburn Base Hospital’s redevelopment.
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It is requesting a $50,000 annual payment from the State Government to offset the cost of monitoring, compliance and recovery of fines associated with proposed timed parking around the facility.
It was just one aspect endorsed by councillors in response to Health Infrastructure’s (HI) parking plans around the hospital during and possibly after the $120 million redevelopment.
The council is also asking that HI asphalt sections of Clifford Street and Faithfull Street, adjoining the facility, due to extra construction traffic, particularly trucks, using the area. General manager Warwick Bennett said the roads were simply not designed for the proposed traffic volumes.
The council has given in-principle endorsement to a host of parking changes on the proviso a multi-storey car park was built in the future. This could be constructed beneath a helipad and would eliminate the “unacceptable parking of hospital patrons and staff in residential streets”, Mr Bennett said.
But with no commitment from the State Government to such a facility, the council fears the suggested parking changes will be permanent.
“That’s why we’re demanding community consultation,” Mr Bennett said.
He said the changes were not satisfactory in the long-term. In response to a question from Cr Margaret O’Neill at the most recent meeting, Mayor Bob Kirk said the council could push its barrow on the multi-storey car park as much as possible.
“The reality is, whether they take notice of this or any other point, is beyond our control,” he said.
Cr Peter Walker suggested with an upcoming State election on the table, some aspects could assume “a different priority.”
Meantime, the council is encouraging widespread consultation about the planned changes. It has also thrown in some of its own thoughts.
The alterations include:
- Two-hour parking on Goldsmith Street between Albert and Cowper Streets and on Prell St;
- Four-hour parking restrictions on Faithfull Street between Clifford and Bradley Streets and Albert Street between Clifford and Nicholson Streets, but excluding the western side of Albert Street adjacent to Goulburn High School;
- A change from 45 degree to 90 degree parking on Clifford Street between Deccan and Faithfull Streets, and Faithfull Street between Verner and Clifford Streets;
- No parking signs erected in Show Street, but residents be given exceptions;
- Clifford Street from Deccan to Faithfull Streets become one-way, with the entrance off Deccan Street.
The latter is perhaps the most controversial. Mr Bennett said the area was already a busy one before and after school and he recommended HI consult closely with Goulburn High.
“Generally, any parents picking up children from (the school) use Clifford Street,” he said.
“Add the construction of a new hospital and the closing of a lane – the site will become worse with the number of parents still trying to park near the school that currently has limited parking.
“All these vehicles that currently drive up a two-way street will all be going down a one-way street, creating more frustration. Then add in construction vehicles and hospital visitors could make traffic movements in Clifford Street worse. We are sure these issues will become centre of attention during the public consultation process.”
The council also doesn’t necessarily agree that altering parking from 45 to 90 degrees will create considerably more spaces.
The pressures are sparking concerns about parking patrols. The GM pointed out that hospital visitors sometimes had to stay longer than the time restriction, which was beyond their control. In such cases, the council needed discretion to show compassion and write off fines.
“That should not be at ratepayers’ expense and thus the (requested) $50,000 annual allocation to the council from the State Government can be used to cover some of these requests,” he wrote in his report.
Mr Bennett told The Post he’d be pushing hard for the payment.
The council is urging HI to extensively consult with the community and school, bus service providers, and hold open session with residents and a public meeting.
“At end of day we want the hospital redevelopment,” Cr Kirk said.
“It needs to happen and to do that, all the onsite parking needs to be taken on to the street and that will create disruption and inconvenience. We need to find the best way to manage it and that’s what we’re trying to do. We need to inform the community but they also need to be well versed with any issues that arise. That’s why we want HI to come back to us.”