Construction has begun on a seven-storey car park at the Launceston General Hospital, adding 474 new parking spaces for patients, visitors and staff.
VOS Construction is building the $44 million facility, with 700 people set to be put to work on the project.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said the new car park would make accessing the hospital much easier.
“We understand the importance of hospital parking facilities, including for patients coming to their appointments, visitors and of course our hard-working staff,” she said.
Hospital chief executive Fiona Lieutier said the project was crucial for the hospital’s master plan and would enable other developments, including the Northern Heart Centre.
“It’s always challenging finding parking in this area and this will go a long way to assisting in reducing the parking blockages that we see,” she said.
“It’s an increase of approximately 400 car parking spaces on what currently is at the LGH.”
Lieutier said it would also appease traffic around the hospital.
“I think car parking across any major city is always challenging but it will make a significant impact to improving the car parking around the Launceston General Hospital, both in the public car parking areas on the streets but also within the hospital precincts and grounds.”
The facility will also include parking for motorcycles and bicycles, plus electric vehicle fast-charging stations.
A temporary car park has opened at the corner of Howick and Mulgrave Streets, with a free shuttle service running to the hospital front entrance between 8am and 5pm on weekdays.
The car park will open in two stages, with lower levels available by mid-2027 and full completion by the end of 2027.
