You only have to drive down Forest Road and see cars parked on either side of the busy thoroughfare to realise how big the problem is.

As the hospital expands and offers more services, the problem has only become worse.

Yesterday, member for Orange Andrew Gee and parliamentary secretary for Regional and Rural Health Melinda Pavey announced a study would be undertaken to determine the extent of the shortage and devise a solution.

While most of us consider the announcement a step in the right direction, it is hard to comprehend how the problem has gone on for so long.

At the end of last year Mr Gee said he would push for an expansion of the existing parking area or the construction of a multi-story car park, and would ask Deputy Premier Troy Grant for funding assistance.

However, Mr Gee has now decided that a more measured approach is required, and he is probably right.

The reason we have been left with such a critical lack of car spaces is a lack of adequate forethought, or maybe a reluctance to install paid parking.

It is time to find out exactly what parking is needed, now and in the future.

It doesn’t take a genius to realise as Orange’s population continues to age and the services provided by the hospital continues to expand, more people will need to visit the health service and use its car parks.

Mr Gee has pledged to have construction on the new car park started by the end of the next state government term in 2019. 

The sooner we can stop talking about car parks, the better.