Council ‘shocked’ at parking fees
Chop, chop: Frankston Council ranger Cameron Ashwood, left, Green Army recruit Clayton Rowland, supervisor Beri Clifford, and recruit Darcy Hill get stuck into removing weeds with Dunkley MP Bruce Billson, front at Baxter Park. Picture: Yanni
Green team on control patrol THE Green Army was on the march again last week tackling weeds at Baxter Park to help the Mornington Peninsula Pony Club keep its home base clear of overgrowth. Federal Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson joined the troops during their efforts to cull the weeds. “The project will continue to be conducted in key areas of the foreshore and natural reserves including Seaford Foreshore, Kananook Creek, Sweetwater Creek and
Seaford Wetlands and Baxter Park,” Mr Billson said. “Works in these areas are focusing on weed control and fuel reduction, revegetation, fencing for park user management and habitat protection.” Young Australians aged 17 to 24 can join the Green Army to gain skills through training and practical experience on conservation projects throughout Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. See environment.gov.au/green-army for details.
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 Times 23/11/15). Peninsula Health planning and infrastructure acting executive director Rick Law told The Times 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 hos-
Parking concerns: Frankston councillors have criticised hospital car park fees.
pitals 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 str essed.” Neil Walker
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