It was with relief that local Tweed councillors and members of the Kingscliff and Cudgen communities heard the news that parking at the controversial new Tweed Valley Hospital would be free when it opens.
The hospital is being built on what was State Significant Farmland (SSF) in the small coastal town of Kingscliff, a decision that divided the community. The government promised that no further SSF would be opened up to development at that site. This has not stopped developers attempting to do just that with the proposed Cudgen Connection development.
One of the promises provided was that all parking for staff, visitors and patients would be free; however, the final commitment was a long time coming. The commitment, announced yesterday at the site of the yet-to-open Tweed Valley Hospital (TVH) by NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park, was for all regional hospitals.
‘While the Minister’s free parking announcement is good news for all regional NSW communities, it is particularly important for our local Kingscliff and surrounds community given that the provision of free parking was promoted as a key component of the Tweed Valley Hospital’s infrastructure in alleviating impact on our local community,’ Peter Newton, President of the Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association (KRAPA) told The Echo.
‘This was due to the fact that this major piece of regional infrastructure was being sited, not in a major regional centre, but a small coastal town and farming community – literally the equivalent of a small town being plonked above another small town.
‘To have not received the free parking as was promised by both the past and current State Government would have meant a world of pain for local residences and our wider community, not to mention the resources required to manage the issues caused by increased traffic volume and parking in residential streets.’
Minister Park told the press conference, ‘I’m pleased to be making this announcement here at the new Tweed Valley Hospital, where residents have been vocal about the need for free parking.’
Speaking to The Echo Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said, ‘This is a massive relief for our community to hear the announcement! Council has been advocating since “Day One” to have parking free at the new hospital site. It was committed to by the previous state government but it was not clear what would happen after the election so we are delighted to have this commitment made to our community today.’
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, ‘I’ve been determined to deliver on this for my community in Lismore, and I am really pleased that it will not just be delivered for my community, but at hospitals and health facilities across regional NSW.
‘With the rollout of the free parking initiative across regional health facilities, we’re easing the financial burden on patients and visitors to our hospitals.
‘The initiative is designed to make hospital access more seamless for regional, rural and remote communities who are faced with unique geographical challenges when accessing healthcare.’
Mr Newton said in particular thanks needed to go to ‘State member, Geoff Provest for his representations to Minister Park as well as to Tweed councillors James Owen and Rhiannon Brinsmead for pursuing the call for a public announcement via Council on behalf of the community and to the other Councillors who supported this’.
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