Hogan’s Pharmacy co-owner Frances Kinghorne said she was concerned staff and visitors might park on the street and take up spaces needed by businesses.

On Tuesday it was announced 700 staff would move to a new building on the site of the old base hospital in Prince Street with about 390 car parking spaces provided on-site.

However, Ms Kinghorne said she did not want to see a repeat of the last major government development in Orange, the hospital on Forest Road, which has had major car parking shortages.

“I am concerned about the parking, but overall it (the DPI move) is good,” she said.

Ms Kinghorne said street parking around the site was busy at times with people going to LiveBetter, TAFE  and other businesses.

She said she wanted to ensure there was sufficient parking on-site for the DPI.

“I’d be interested in the process and how they worked out that number of spaces is adequate,” she said.

Ms Kinghorne said they should “double it” to cater for future growth.

LiveBetter chief customer officer Chris Rawlins said they welcomed the DPI move, even if there were parking problems.

“While parking can be a challenge it is outweighed by the economic benefits,” he said.

“We’re excited and supportive of the move, it is positive for the area,” he said.

Mr Rawlins said it would benefit LiveBetter’s Cafe Connect eatery.

“Anything that’s going to keep that cafe going is good from that perspective,” he said.

Mr Rawlins said the DPI needed adequate parking for people with disabilities.

A DPI spokesman said there would be 393 parking spaces, an increase of 177 from the current DPI site, for the same number of staff.

“Observational studies of parking demand at the current site informed the parking requirements in the design of the new site and suggest this increased capacity will significantly reduce the current need for staff to use on-street parking,” he said.

“Consultation with the Orange community will be an important part of the development of the new regional hub.”