Orange councillors considered a report at Tuesday’s meeting, which said earlier layouts suggested by the council had been rejected. 

Corporate relations manager Nick Redmond’s report said the council had been in consultation with Orange Health Service and Orange Ex-Services’ Club since November when then-health minister Jillian Skinner announced $1 million would be spent on parking, adding up to 160 spaces.

The sites identified at the time for 77 spaces were along the northern boundary of the health service alongside the golf course and near the Country Club.

A further 83 spaces were earmarked for between the Western Care Lodge and the rear entrance to the hospital.

Mr Redmond said the club had been willing and co-operative with the council and the health service on parking opportunities.

“However, that proposal ultimately did not proceed due to the potential impact on the 18th hole and the cost of protective fencing,” he said. 

“At this point it was determined that future parking alternatives and design works would need to be carried out by the health service and its public private partner Pinnacle HealthCare.”

The council has not been involved in the design since August.

A Western NSW Local Health District spokeswoman confirmed the 83-space car park would remain in its original position, near the rear entry of the hospital and community health. 

She said the council-built spaces would now be positioned at the front of the hospital, between the existing parking area and the footpath along Forest Road.

The plan would cut the total number of additional spaces by one. 

“Car parking at the front of the hospital will be expanded to accommodate an estimated 76 spaces,” the spokeswoman said. 

The council is expected to contribute $150,000 towards the spaces, which will take its contribution to Bloomfield’s road network to $572,500.

An application for the new parking spaces is before the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and tenders will follow.

Construction is due to start early next year after Ms Skinner announced a start date of early this year. 

The hospital currently has 605 parking spaces, as well as 18 disability spaces, two spaces for parents with prams and six emergency department drop-off spaces.