Cr Peter Hulin told an open meeting earlier this month he had reports of increasing numbers of fines for parking on nature strips around the South West Healthcare campus.

“Are we just picking on the nurses?” he asked. “We may as well do it for the rest of the town.”

He called for indented parking bays to be built in the precinct.

Cr Brian Kelson also backed the call for indented parking and said nurses’ personal safety was in jeopardy by having to walk several blocks to their cars at night.

However, the council’s local laws team has advised The Standard no decision had been made to increase enforcement of parking bans on nature strips.

“Consultation with residents, businesses and motorists in the area is under way,” council communications manager Nick Higgins said.

“This feedback will be included in a full report to council.

“The local laws team is enforcing laws on illegal parking in the hospital area on a regular basis which includes parking too close to intersections, blocking driveways and stopping in a no-stopping zone,” he said.

“Council is working with the hospital to improve parking arrangements and has been advised that the hospital manages its car parks to suit shift workers.

“Where required hospital staff are escorted to their vehicles by security officers.”

The hospital provides on-site parking off Timor, Koroit, Hider and Ryot streets.

pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au