State’s free hospital parking plan

Patients, staff and visitors could be enjoying free parking at all rural and regional NSW public hospitals from July 1, in a new election promise the government will announce on Wednesday.

While parking at most public hospitals outside of Greater Sydney is free, parking fees at these hospitals can still rival inner-city prices.

At Wollongong Hospital on the state’s south coast, visitors and patients cop a $20.20 fee for parking stays over five hours, rivalling Sydney prices. Stays from 15 minutes to an hour costs $6.80.

At Lismore Base Hospital in the state’s north, four hours or more parking incurs a $8.60 fee, while 15 minutes to an hour costs $3.50.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole, who will announce the policy on Wednesday, said it was a welcome initiative for regional residents who are forced to travel further for healthcare.

“The last thing patients, their loved ones and staff need is to carry the extra burden of forking out money to park when they arrive – especially when they don’t pay for parking elsewhere in that community,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said it was a “sensible, targeted” initiative to ease “specific cost of living pressures faced by people in rural and regional NSW”.

“While we are investing in more and more public transport in our regions, driving is often the only option for many when it comes to visiting our nearest and dearest in hospital,” Ms Taylor said.

“From establishing the $250m Regional Seniors Travel Card, to investing $149.5m into the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, this government is committed to easing the costs associated with travel in the regions.”

In Sydney, the Sydney Eye Hospital in the CBD commands the highest parking rates for a public institution. Fees balloon to $66 for over three hours of parking, or $9 for stints under 30 minutes.

During Covid-19, all NSW Health staff were given free parking at public hospitals while social distancing restrictions were in place. These concessions were removed in April 2021.