Health Minister Jillian Skinner today officially opened a $23.1 million, multi-storey car park at Nepean Hospital.
Mrs Skinner was joined by local MPs Stuart Ayres (Penrith), Roza Sage (Blue Mountains), Tanya Davies (Mulgoa) and Bart Bassett (Londonderry) as she opened the new, six-storey facility, which will provide 657 additional parking spaces.
“We have listened to patients and staff across the state and we are delivering the crucial infrastructure they have asked for,” Mrs Skinner said.
“The completion of this new car park is a key milestone in the $139 million redevelopment of the Nepean Hospital campus.
“Providing sufficient parking spaces at our hospitals is about more than just convenience – it is about ensuring equity of access to quality health care.
“This is why the NSW Government is investing more than $100 million to increase car park capacity at hospitals identified as having the greatest need,” Mrs Skinner said.
The new, multi-storey car park at Nepean Hospital provides accessible parking on the ground floor, designated spaces for motorcycle and bicycle parking, bathroom facilities and intercoms throughout for security.
A new roundabout has been constructed for safe and easy vehicular access from Somerset Street at the Hargrave Street intersection. Vehicles will exit the car park into Derby Street.
A new, well-lit and landscaped pedestrian boulevard links the car park with main entrances to the hospital at East Block, South Block and North Block. The car park is also well located for access to dental services at the Centre for Oral Health.
“The new Nepean Hospital car park will ensure the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District can meet current and future patient demand at the rapidly expanding Nepean Hospital campus,” Mrs Skinner said.
Penrith MP Stuart Ayres said he is proud that the people of Penrith and surrounds are finally receiving the infrastructure and services they deserve.
“I am delighted this day has come. Staff, patients and visitors to our hospital have been crying out for a modern, accessible and secure car park for many years and I am proud the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has delivered it,” Mr Ayres said.
Member for Blue Mountains Roza Sage said: “I know from past personal experience that parking at Nepean Hospital has been a challenge. This new car park will be a boon for the patients, staff and visitors who frequent the hospital.”
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the official opening marks another milestone for better health care in western Sydney.
“This new car park will greatly improve access for staff, patients and their families to health services based at the rapidly expanding Nepean Hospital campus. This is yet another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to the people of western Sydney,” Mrs Davies said.
Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett said: “I am proud of the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding services to the communities of western Sydney. The $23.1 million Nepean Hospital car park is another fine example of that.”
The new car park will ease parking congestion in the surrounding area. In addition to it, the Somerset Street car park on the hospital site will be repaired, resurfaced and re-marked, with additional capacity for more than 30 cars.
Work on the Somerset Street car park is expected to be completed in summer 2013/14.
