Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is working with Darling Downs Health (DDH) and Translink to temporarily relocate a bus stop to Pechey Street, Toowoomba, until mid-2023.
With DDH undertaking internal works on the Toowoomba Base Hospital, including the expansion of their emergency facilities, TRC Infrastructure Committee portfolio lead Cr Melissa Taylor said Council had been asked to assist with finding a temporary solution to allow these works to take place.
"Darling Downs Health provides a vital service to this community and it's important residents have access to the services provided by the hospital," Cr Taylor said.
"Compared to the current temporary bus stop inside the hospital, the proposed temporary bus stop in Pechey Street will provide a larger waiting area, shelter and seating for bus patrons.
"Unfortunately this will also result is the loss of six car spaces, including two disability parking spaces in the interim.
"To counter this, we will advise DDH they must provide improved People with Disability accessibility arrangements from the proposed temporary bus stop in Pechey Street into the hospital for the period that the temporary bus stop exists.
"In addition to this, we're asking DDH to provide an additional two publicly available disability parking spaces within their property.
"While this may be a workable temporary outcome for DDH and Translink, we believe the best location for a permanent bus stop is internally within the hospital, adjacent to the main entrance of the Toowoomba Hospital and as such, we'll work with DDH and Translink on putting plans in place to ensure the permanent location is constructed."
The estimated $27,000 cost of providing a temporary bus stop, plus the cost of a shelter in Pechey Street, is to be fully funded from DDH, with Council providing design and construction management support in-kind.
This decision was approved by Council at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 21 September 2021.
