Visitors and staff at Shoalhaven District Hospital are set to face some short term pain for long term gain when it comes to parking.
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South Coast MP Shelley Hancock and Kiama MP Gareth Ward launched a start of work on the proposed $10.8 million new multi-deck car park at the hospital on Monday.
Two car parking areas behind the GP Super Clinic and the South Coast Cancer Care Centre will provide 60 car parking spaces while construction is undertaken on the current car parking area.
Only issue will be the current car park holds 170 vehicles, so there will be a shortfall of around 110 spaces.
Health says it is in discussions with Shoalhaven City Council to change some of the parking on Scenic Drive, which would provide extra spaces.
Some of the car parks on the southern end of Scenic Drive are all day parks and it is understood moves will be made to make them two hour parking spaces.
Mrs Hancock and Mr Ward turned the first sod on the project which will increase hospital parking to 545 spaces.
“Today marks the beginning of works to prepare the site for the construction of the multi-deck car park and the delivery of 60 ground-level spaces that will be available while construction of the main car park is underway,” Mrs Hancock said.
Construction will begin on the multi-deck car park later this year with work expected to be complete in late 2019.
“The new five split-level car park will provide more than 220 new spaces in addition to the 80 ground level spaces being constructed as early works,” Mrs Hancock said.
“This is a fantastic day for the community and the first step towards progressing an upgraded hospital.
“The multi deck car park project is the first step of many the NSW government will take to prepare the site for the future and ensure it can meet future demand.”
The masterplan for the hospital precinct was also unveiled.