The Tweed Valley community is set to gain significant benefits from the addition of **130 new street-level parking spaces** at the Tweed Valley Hospital. Local company **Alder** has been appointed to carry out the expansion, which will increase the hospital’s overall parking capacity to more than **1,300 spaces**. This development comes as part of an operational review aimed at improving transport and traffic arrangements at the facility, incorporating input from emergency services.
The new parking spaces will primarily be constructed on a grassy area south of the existing multi-level car park and along Ring Road, which borders the northern side of the hospital campus. This phased approach to construction aims to minimize disruptions for patients, staff, and visitors. Completion of the project is anticipated by the end of **2025**.
Enhancing Local Healthcare Services
The **$723.3 million** Tweed Valley Hospital, which opened its doors to patients in **May 2024**, has already made a substantial impact on healthcare delivery in the region. The facility has expanded its services, now offering interventional cardiology and radiotherapy, allowing local residents to access essential health services without needing to travel outside the area.
The additional parking initiative is being implemented by the **Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD)** in conjunction with **Health Infrastructure**. The ongoing collaboration aims to keep the community informed as construction progresses.
Minister for Regional Health **Ryan Park** highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “The new Tweed Valley Hospital has been embraced by the local community, with activity rising significantly since opening in May 2024. These works will boost capacity on site to more than 1,300 free parking spaces, improving access to the hospital and vital health services for the local community.”
Minister for the North Coast **Janelle Saffin** emphasized the hospital’s role in delivering quality healthcare, saying, “Tweed Valley Hospital is a very busy health facility, with hundreds of staff delivering high-quality healthcare every day to the growing communities of the Tweed-Byron region. We trust this additional free parking will ensure a better experience for patients, their families, and carers, as well as our wonderful staff.”
Community and Political Support
The expansion of parking facilities has received support from various stakeholders, including **Emily Suvaal**, the Labor Spokesperson for Tweed. She remarked, “This expansion is critical to ensuring the community has access to more free parking when they are visiting the hospital. The National’s plan was to privatise this parking and make local people pay for it. Not only did the Minns Labor government ensure this parking was kept in public hands, but we are also expanding it to meet increased demand.”
**Tracey Maisey**, Chief Executive of NNSWLHD, expressed optimism about the parking expansion, stating, “We’re delighted work will soon get underway on the construction of additional parking at Tweed Valley Hospital. This will make a real difference to the many patients, carers, and staff who visit the hospital campus every day. Thank you to the team who have worked to deliver this project. We’re confident these practical steps will improve access to the hospital campus and ensure we continue to deliver first-class healthcare to our community.”
As work progresses, the Tweed Valley community can look forward to enhanced access to healthcare, making visits to the hospital more convenient for everyone involved.
