CAR parking fees at Frankston Hospital have been condemned as “exorbitant” by Frankston councillors.
Councillors unanimously voted to write to the board of Peninsula Health and Health Minister Jill Hennessy to ask fees be reviewed amid council concerns about “excessive parking fees”.
Cr Suzette Tayler said she had been shocked at the price of parking at Frankston Hospital on two recent visits.
She said she had been charged $9 for a one hour and 10 minute stay.
“I think it’s really important as a council to stand up and say something about the fees that are being asked for Frankston Hospital – it’s wrong,” Cr Tayler said.
The Labor state government has ordered hospitals throughout Victoria to review their parking fees (‘Hospitals on notice over carpark fees’, The News 23/11/15).
Peninsula Health planning and infrastructure acting executive director Rick Law told The News last month concession parking fees may be available if visitors and patients speak to a hospital social worker about financial stress caused by carpark fees.
A discounted weekly rate of $45 for parking is also available but many visitors say they are unaware of this rate since it has not been prominently advertised.
The state government says all hospitals must now make publicise all available concession parking fees.
Cr Darrel Taylor noted Frankston Hospital’s parking fees are “exorbitant” compared to council’s own $5 per day parking fees in Frankston.
“To go in there two or three times a week, it gets very, very expensive,” Cr Colin Hampton said.
Frankston Hospital car parking fees begin at $7 for one hour rising to $15 for five hours, the maximum fee for all-day parking.
“I think it’s really important as a council to stand up and say something about the fees that are being asked for Frankston Hospital – it’s wrong,” Cr Tayler said. “So many people are stressed.”
First published in the Mornington News – 15 December 2015
