Two days of rain in late June, plus light rain over the weekend, has not derailed the project’s schedule, and it remains on track for an October opening.

At the turning of the sod one month ago, Hines Constructions CEO David Hines said while the weather might have an impact on the construction schedule, he was confident the project will be finished on time.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Western NSW Local Health District said the $800,000 expansion is on target.

“Recent weather conditions haven’t disrupted the schedule and completion of the 77 spaces is expected in October this year,” the spokesperson said.

“This will bring the number of designated car spaces on hospital grounds to 360.”

The spokesperson said since the sod turning last month, the required trees have been removed and the site cleared.

“About a dozen workers have been on-site to undertake the earthworks as well as plumbing and electricity preparation for lighting,” they said.

“Over the next few weeks, conduits for the lighting will be made and bitumen laid in preparation for line marking.”

Lack of car parking has been a problem at the hospital for some time, which has been acknowledged by Member for Bathurst Paul Toole. 

In June, when the project began, Mr Toole said it was clear more parking was needed at the hospital, and he had been approached about the issue by a number of people.

“Bathurst’s population has grown since the new hospital was built  in 2008 and more people then ever are being treated at Bathurst Hospital.

“The additional car parking will take the pressure off street parking which is currently subsidising on-site car parking on the site."

Mr Toole said the issue of car parking was raised with him last year, and since then he has identified an appropriate area to expand the car park, come up with a solution to the issue and successfully sought $800,000 in funding from the State Government for the project.

Mr Toole said there will be no loss of car parking spaces during construction and no impact on public parking during the construction period. 

“The project will include redesigning traffic movements on site so cars can enter and exit the car park more efficiently from Mitre Street.”