TRAFFIC and parking around the new Maitland Hospital have sparked concerns from Maitland City councillors.
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On Tuesday, councillors unanimously backed a submission to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment highlighting issues around stage two of the new Maitland Hospital.
As part of the report, council officers flagged concerns from the State Significant Infrastructure application including traffic, access and parking; contamination; biodiversity, industrial heritage; noise and vibration and water cycle management.
Independent councillor Philip Penfold moved the motion.
"It is a significant project for Maitland. There are already issues for the people of Metford," he said.
"It will make the problem even worse. It's important that this is done right."
Stage two will include the construction and operation of the seven-storey Acute Services Building including an emergency department; medical, surgical, paediatric and maternity services; and operating theatres, delivery suites and assessment.
Labor councillor Ben Whiting threw his support behind the submission.
"There is no doubt if these roads are not upgraded appropriately, this will be traffic disaster," he said.
"We need the state to come to the party on that. It will make all the difference to the success or failure of this development."
Fellow Labor councillor Don Ferris pushed forward the idea of a train station at the new Maitland Hospital.
"Parking is an issue at this hospital already. It hasn't really started to be built yet and we are already worried about parking," he said
"When is Maitland going to embrace our greatest asset which is the rail corridor. Our population has doubled in the last 30 years yet we haven't built another train station. This hospital is on the main train line.
"I am amazed that a train station hasn't been incorporated. Why not put a train station at the hospital?"
Labor councillor Henry Meskauskas also raised concerns about the traffic and parking around the new multi-million dollar precinct.
"We are going from one traffic jam to another traffic jam," he said.
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