Almost three months after its scheduled opening, the Logan Hospital carpark is in use.
Health Department officials won’t confirm reports that there were structural holdups to the construction of the carpark.
However, it is understood there was some subsidence on one side of the building which needed to be repaired, accounting for the delayed opening.
The eight-level parking station is now open for public use.
Rates will cost anywhere from $3 for an hour, to $13 for a full day. There is a 15 minute free parking period.
Health minister Yvette D’Ath said it was a significant boost for patients, visitors and staff.
It’s part of a $460 million Logan Hospital expansion.
Logan Hospital Executive Director Noelle Cridland said the car park was owned and operated by Logan Hospital, which meant every dollar collected from parking rates would come back to the hospital to be used for capital repayments, operations, maintenance and improvements of the car park.
“The purpose of the car parking rates is cost recovery and the hospital will not be making a profit,” she said.
Ms Cridland said a concession program was in place to provide discounted parking for people experiencing financial hardship, who needed to attend hospital frequently, who attended for an extended period of time, or who had special needs and required assistance.
“Data analysis completed for the project showed three-quarters of hospital patients and visitors parked for two hours or less.
“That means most our visitors will pay $5.00 or less per visit.”
Queensland Treasurer and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the car park was an important investment in the Logan community.
“This $61.92 million project has been crucial to our COVID economic recovery, creating well over a hundred local construction jobs,” Mr Dick said.
“Now it’s delivered, the car park will ensure more residents can access our hospital services, meaning better care for our growing city.”
Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said the new car park provided 1506 undercover car parks with secure access directly into the main hospital building via an elevated linkway.
“The beautiful banksia tree design for the car park was created in partnership with feedback from local artists and our Logan community,” said Ms Fentiman.
Member for Logan Linus Power said that the native tree motif represented the people of Logan from different cultures coming together as well as this hospital’s role in nurturing people from birth to end of life.
“This design best reflects the diverse and unique Logan community, recognising the many different cultures coming together as a family and sharing the same journey through life,” said Mr Power.
Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said that the upgrade included 20 electric vehicle chargers.
“EV-ready infrastructure will be key to supporting Logan residents save money on running their cars,” Mr de Brenni said.
“We have made sure there are also more than 300 solar panels on the roof, generating enough clean energy to run the carpark and feed back into the grid.
“Combine that with more than 150 workers inducted to the car park site during construction, including apprentices, and this is a fantastic project for our community.”
Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon welcomed the opening of the car park.
“This is just part of our significant upgrades to our Logan Hospital, and I know that it means so much to communities here on the southside,” said Ms McMahon.
The cost to park in the multi-level car park ranges from $3.00 for one hour, to a maximum daily rate capped at $13.00. It will always be free to drop off and pick up patients from the hospital by using one of the designated drop-off zones.
