<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Exclusive:</span></strong><span> Nurses at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide say they are copping $65 parking fines just to get to work due to a shortage of on-site hospital parking.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Student nurse Anna* told 9news.com.au that it's costing already underpaid healthcare workers a small fortune, and putting them in danger.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's ridiculous, nurses are so important and they're getting all these fines, and it just accumulates," she said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/halloween-decorations-sydney-councils-call-for-environmentally-friendly-decorations/6302e443-ef05-4dad-a9a0-e0a87f214eda" target="_blank"><strong><span>Sydney councils issue warning against Halloween decorations</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And a lot of the doctors, they have parking spots, so it's just really nurses affected."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Women's and Children's Hospital has an allocated staff parking area but it's not even close to being big enough to accommodate all staff.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some park in the hospital's public car parks, which can cost up to $20 per day.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/hospital-parking-adelaide-nurses-paying-25-per-day/b3f13a5f-dfe8-4f5b-84db-51ebf2f7b346" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But many are reluctant to park there, as it means taking spaces that could go to the visiting families of sick women and children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The other option is to park on the street nearby, but most streets only offer two to three hour parking and nurses can't just duck out to move their cars.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You're not even guaranteed a break, and you're not guaranteed at the same time every day," Anna explained.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So what I found is that a lot of nurses are just copping $65 fines every week."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/derryn-hinch-former-senator-radio-tv-personality-in-hospital/8a589638-7e53-47e8-a3c5-5a1ec45a0200" target="_blank"><strong><span>Veteran broadcaster Derryn Hinch hospitalised after fall</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2025/03/27/10/38/sydney-highest-parking-fees-in-new-report-nrma"><img alt="Sydney parking fees lead" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/ljhe5QfaWRjAyc7LMPdnLd5BdTo=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fed140976-7825-4aa0-8bb8-f6f4c1066151" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/ljhe5QfaWRjAyc7LMPdnLd5BdTo=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fed140976-7825-4aa0-8bb8-f6f4c1066151 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/K7HBTVtBf5PdpTaS8nSqo_R3-Lg=/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fed140976-7825-4aa0-8bb8-f6f4c1066151 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Aussie city pays twice as much for parking as US, study shows</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2025/03/27/10/38/sydney-highest-parking-fees-in-new-report-nrma">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are also safety concerns for nurses walking to and from their cars late at night and early in the morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a safety issue for sure, especially when you finish at like 10," Anna confessed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Nurse burnout is real, and you're working really long hours, and sometimes your situational awareness before and after a shift is not that great."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A spokesperson from Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN) told 9news "parking availability remains a high priority".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We continue to consider options for improved parking solutions for staff and consumers visiting and working within the WCH," they said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Through negotiations with the City of Adelaide, WCH has secured 128 on-street parking spaces on MacKinnon Parade for exclusive WCHN Staff use (during permit hours) at a reduced rate to staff of $8 per day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Reduced car parking fees are also available for staff with key card access in the Medical Centre Car Park on Kermode Street."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/antibiotic-resistance-rising-in-children-around-the-world-australian-experts-say-whats-next/07458f7b-59b9-4138-a582-5e4b37cd924f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Warning as bacterial resistance to antibiotics soars on Australia's doorstep</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>WCHN also negotiated with City of Adelaide Council to exempt staff from the two-hour restrictions on event parking around the hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Staff are encouraged to visit the WCHN Transport Office to obtain an exemption," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Anna said not all hospital staff have been able to access discounts and exemptions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She claimed the waitlist for discounted parking is long and even at a rate of $8 per day ($40 for a five day work week), the costs add up quickly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Most of the nurses on the ward that I'm on don't have access to it, they're still on a waiting list," she alleged.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the month she's been on placement at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Anna has been parking a 20 minute walk from the hospital in a bid to avoid fines.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a long trek to and from each shift but she just can't afford to pay $100 per week for parking in the hospital's public car park, let alone $325 in fines (based on a five day work week, though many nurses work up to seven days).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-cbd-arrest-man-with-firearm-arrested-after-alleged-car-jackings/21ee0e69-1b4c-49ae-bb75-4904293f2769" target="_blank"><strong><span>Man charged after alleged carjacking rampage in Melbourne</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Public transport isn't an option either, as there are no O'Bahn buses available that can get her to the hospital in time for her shifts to start at 6am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm only there for a month, so I can't imagine how full time nurses feel," Anna said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And it's a problem everywhere, at every hospital, you're maxed out with the parking situation, so you're forced to either public transport it or park on the street."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The WCHN spokesperson confirmed work is well underway on the development of the hospital's new carpark.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will have 1300 spaces, nearly double the current number of on-site hospital parking spaces.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Anna fears that alone won't solve the issue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's too many staff members [and] honestly I just think that this problem is going to transfer to that car park," she said.</span></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2020/07/01/14/07/road-rules-australia-you-might-not-know-confusing-drivers-motorists-safety-news"><img alt="This common sign seen on cars is actually illegal" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/iGvUO5noDSVqC4bmwWckJQe9xzE=/0x84:2119x1276/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F32c3ca2e-93e0-41c3-94da-b950ac72d4ba" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/iGvUO5noDSVqC4bmwWckJQe9xzE=/0x84:2119x1276/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F32c3ca2e-93e0-41c3-94da-b950ac72d4ba 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/R0YE9IxFEc7-oYgh4302e-468Ug=/0x84:2119x1276/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F32c3ca2e-93e0-41c3-94da-b950ac72d4ba 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Having this sign on your car could land you a $2200 fine</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2020/07/01/14/07/road-rules-australia-you-might-not-know-confusing-drivers-motorists-safety-news">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Fed up" nurses started a </span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-fair-parking-access-for-nurses-at-the-women-s-children-s-hospital-adl?source_location=search" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Change.org petition"><span>Change.org petition</span></a><span> in the hopes of changing things.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It calls for Adelaide City Council to introduce a free street parking permit for rostered nurses and healthcare staff at the Women's and Children's Hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anna said there has been a flood of positive responses from everyday Aussies who agree our healthcare workers deserve better.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They're tired, they just want to get home to their kids, and I think it's really sad that either they've got to walk or they're forking out [for parking] when nurses are already underpaid."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>*Name changed for privacy reasons.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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