Parking on the road outside Griffith Base Hospital is often at a premium. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith City Council is reminding drivers of road rules and obligations when parking vehicles, after it received complaints about adverse parking on streets around the entrance to the new Griffith Base Hospital in Animoo Avenue.
The local government body says it has received reports about parked cars blocking residential driveways and vehicles parked too close to the Gallipoli Street and Wyangan Avenue intersections, which restrict sight distances. This causes a safety issue for both drivers and pedestrians.
While the new Griffith Base Hospital is now open, parking arrangements are in a state of flux. Murrumbidgee Local Health District says work is continuing on the demolition of redundant buildings to make way for the construction of the new car park and main entry forecourt.
At this stage, walk-in access to the new hospital is via the entry to the old hospital.
The old hospital car park remains open throughout these works, but there will be progressive changes, including traffic flows and the exit point.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District has provided a map to guide people on the current parking and hospital entry arrangements. Image: MLHD.
Fencing and hoarding will be installed around all demolition and construction sites on the campus. A new pedestrian ramp is being installed near the hospital main entry to support access from the main car park. The temporary dirt car park between the old Medical Ward Block and the Nurses Training School is now permanently closed.
The council’s traffic committee chair, Deputy Mayor Anne Napoli, said that while Griffith was fortunate to have a wonderful facility, the safety of residents and road users around the site should be considered during this transition period.
“The new Base Hospital has provided Griffith and surrounding communities with a valuable asset and we encourage those using the facility to be mindful of parking in a safe and appropriate manner,” Councillor Napoli said.
“Many of the streets surrounding the health precinct have seen an increase in traffic-related activity since the opening of the Base Hospital; therefore, extra caution should be exercised when driving and parking in that area.”
In an effort to reduce traffic and parking congestion, drivers are reminded they should use the on-site car parking area off Noorebar Street, which provides a safer environment for those attending the hospital and other related health services.
As part of the new development, pedestrian paths have been constructed to allow access to and from the on-site car park to the hospital’s main entry. A drop-off/pick-up zone, a 15-minute parking zone and several accessible parking spaces are available at the main entry to accommodate people with limited mobility.
To extend courtesy to residents and other road users, the council is reminding drivers that any on-street parking must be in accordance with the road rules, including mandatory compliance with intersection distances and driveway obstructions. The council is warning that enforcement will be conducted and vehicles found to be parked contrary to the road rules will be fined.
