The parking fees would be introduced after the upcoming redevelopment.
Patients and visitors of Wyong Hospital could soon face the introduction of parking fees due to a state government policy.
Wyong state Labor MP David Harris revealed that an upcoming $200 million redevelopment for the local hospital could resulting in the introduction of the State governments hospital parking policy, which would see paid parking being introduced for patients, visitors and staff.
Mr Harris has joined forces with fellow Labor MPs Yasmin Catley, David Mehan and Liesl Tesch to move a notice of motion in parliament this week against the implementation of parking fees.
“Wyong Hospital has never had a fee, and we will fight to make sure it stays that way,” Mr Harris told the Central Coast Express Advocate.
“It is absolutely vital that a hospital with thousands of visitors and staff using the hospital every week has free parking.”
The possible introduction of paid parking at Wyong Hospital has worried the community, especially in the midst of the recent parking price hikes at the redeveloped Gosford Hospital carpark.
In December of last year, it was announced that parking fees would increase from $1.20 to $6.70 per hour – an hike of 458%.
Staff were also impacted by the increase with staff prices raised by $9.45 per week – a total of $490 extra in parking fees for staff per year.
UPDATE 10/5/2019: Parking fees confirmed at Wyong Hospital by Central Coast Health District.
CCLHD chief executive Dr Andrew Montague has told the Central Coast Express Advocate once carpark expansion works are completed at the hospital, parking fees will commence in line with the State Government’s Hospital Car Parking Fees Policy.
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Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Getty
