Royal Darwin Hospital will transition to a free parking system from 1 January 2017.
Parking will be free across the campus, with four-hour time limits in place for car parks closest to the hospital building to ensure better access for patients and visitors.
The hospital will use a print and display system in the main short-term patient and visitor car parks, which means people parking in these areas will need to print a ticket and display it on their dashboard.
Tickets will not be required for general free parking in other car parks on the campus.
Car parks closest to the hospital building will be free and limited to four hours and available only to patients and visitors between 7am and 5pm each day. Patients and visitors who expect to be at the hospital for more than four hours are encouraged to use the general free car parks.
Patients and visitors who can’t get back to their car within the four hours for medical reasons can ask nursing staff to complete a Medical Waiver form on their behalf. The Medical Waiver form can be presented to RDH Parking Services, along with an appeal form, to request a fine be reversed. Appealing a fine is easier than before and appeal outcomes advised much more quickly than under a previous appeal process.
In the main patient and visitor car parks, tickets printed after 5pm will have an 8.30am end time as these car parks are used by night shift staff after hours, as well as visitors and patients.
While the revised system officially starts on 1 January 2017, new signage is being installed.
A grace period will be in place for several weeks while people get used to the new parking zones and parking officers will be able to assist with information. Fines may be issued after this time for non-compliance with parking rules on campus.
Infringements will continue to be issued for parking in disabled bays without a valid disabled parking permit, parking in non-designated or reserved parking spaces, and taking up more than a single bay.
Fines are due for payment within 28 days. After this time, additional fees will be incurred. Fines outstanding after a further 28 days will be referred to the Fines Recovery Unit, which may result in further penalties.
Media contact: Kirsty Reid 8922 6538 or 0401 116 203