PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: LYELL McEWIN HOSPITAL STAGE C CAR PARK

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (11:55): I move:

That the 325^th report of the committee, on the Lyell McEwin Hospital Stage C Car Park, be noted.

The Lyell McEwin Hospital provides a comprehensive range of specialist and diagnostic treatment services to a population of approximately 196,000 people, living primarily in the northern suburbs of Adelaide and a wider catchment area including Gawler and the adjacent rural areas to the north. To facilitate the requirements for infrastructure to support this changed role, $201.65 million has been allocated in the forward capital program for the LMH redevelopment stage C. The exact details for undertaking stage C are yet to be finalised, but the core elements of the concept master plan include:

a new multi-deck car park;

a new acute inpatient building to accommodate potentially 150 beds, including a helipad on the upper level;

internal works to meet increased service requirements;

a new ambulatory care building to accommodate expanded outpatient and allied health functions; and

a new support services building to accommodate expanded Women's Health Centre facilities.

A number of interdependencies exist between key elements of the LMH stage C master plan. For example, the multi-deck car park has to be built and operational before the new inpatient building can be constructed, and the existing wards cannot be refurbished until the new inpatient building is available. The proposed scope of work includes:

a new roofed and multi-deck car park for approximately 1,242 cars, 10 motorcycles and 116 bicycles;

a 828,000 litre above-ground rainwater tank to collect and recycle stormwater from the car park roof;

landscaping and on-site pedestrian connections between the car park and the hospital; and

safe lighting consistent with crime prevention principles.

The total capital cost budgeted for the project is $24.946 million excluding GST.

The location of the multi-deck car park on the western sector of the site conforms to the longstanding master plan to create the most efficient and accessible parking facility with safe and secure pedestrian access to the main building. The car park will securely house the existing and future staff cars and bicycles and also has an ability for the public and visitors to the site to use the building.

A traffic engineering study has been undertaken to assess demand and provision of car parking facilities during and following the construction of the proposed development. The assessment concludes that the proposed multi-deck car park will provide adequate on-site car parks for the future stage C redevelopment.

The design will reduce the need for artificial lighting to the maximum extent possible and use energy efficient lighting solutions where artificial lighting is required. A purpose designed screening solution will be used across the car park to enable full natural ventilation while screening headlight glare, avoiding general light spill from the periphery of the car park and addressing overlooking issues.

Advice presented by a traffic and transport planning consultant identified the requirement for car parking at the completion of stage C to be approximately 1,600 on-site car parks. The lease for the temporary car park expires in August 2011. If the multi-deck car park has not been established then the number of available car parks will be reduced to 690 spaces. This represents a significant shortfall in required spaces. The car park will result in a net decrease in the car parking footprint on the existing car park site and a net increase in landscaped area.

The zone selected for the project is currently occupied by on-grade car parking but, because of its location relative to the main clinical functions of the hospital, its best use is for staff car parking and some overflow patient parking associated with the Women's Health Centre and the new mental health unit. The site also provides an option for paid visitor car parking.

Various methods to harvest and/or retain stormwater run-off will be explored and evaluated. At a minimum, stormwater run-off will be retained to reduce the impact on stormwater infrastructure. At best, water will be retained and stored on-site for later treatment and use as potable water.

The project is consistent with the direction of South Australia's Health Care Plan in that it will enable the hospital's physical infrastructure and capacity to support its changed role. Stage C of the hospital redevelopment will be able to proceed by providing for its recommended car parking.

The development of a multi-deck car park will result in increased operating expenditure but that will be offset by increased operating revenue per annum when it is fully operational. The project is expected to be completed in December 2009.

Based upon the evidence considered during its inquiry and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Debate adjourned on motion of Dr McFetridge.