Tamworth hospital car park battle not over

Kim Walsh has written to Health Minister Jillian Skinner to ask why a multi-storey carpark was not included in the hospital’s redevelopment plans.

Mrs Walsh headed a campaign for a multi-storey car park that culminated in a debate in state parliament in February, after a petition of 10,300 signatures was collected.

During that debate Ms Skinner said the master plan for the hospital included space for a multi-storey carpark, to be constructed in conjunction with the private sector under a NSW Ministry of Health car parking strategy.

But Mrs Walsh said the size of the hospital necessitated more car parking spaces now.

It was last reported the redevelopment will include about 138 extra parking spaces, but consultants are reportedly still working on a final figure.

Mrs Walsh said she believed this would not be able to meet demand.

She said she would be lobbying Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson to do something about the issue.

Mr Anderson told The Leader a multi-storey carpark was on his wishlist, but the focus should be on completing the redevelopment first.

As for the parking spaces provided in the redevelopment, Mr Anderson said the hospital knew best what was needed.

Mrs Walsh started pushing for better parking last year after the difficulties her chronically-ill mother faced trying to get to the hospital from parking in the surrounding streets – an issue she discovered was shared by many other patients and carers.