Concerns raised that boomgates at Westfield West Lakes are deterring shoppers
The boomgates at Westfield West Lakes have been contentious for years, and concerns have been raised shoppers might flock to a nearby centre to avoid them.
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West Lakes traders believe long-running parking issues and the new Port Adelaide Plaza development could see shoppers lured away from the Westfield centre.
They are calling for a solution to the issue of paid parking at the complex in response to the free offering at the Port Adelaide centre, which is 5km away.
Paid parking was suspended at West Lakes at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but the boom gates were reintroduced in July.
Better Health Pharmacy managing pharmacist Emma Vordermaier said the last thing the Westfield businesses needed was the added stress that the boomgates give them.
“I have had multiple customers telling me that they will be moving to do their shopping there (Port Adelaide Plaza) upon completion, purely because of the difficulty associated with parking here and the added stress it causes them,” Ms Vordermaier.
Ms Vordermaier said it was older customers in particular who reported issues with the boomgates at West Lakes.
“With the older customers, it stresses them out, whether they can get everything done in the three hours (before you have to pay for parking),” she said.
Ms Vordermaier said it was also frustrating that calls for free carparking for centre staff seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
She believed there was plenty of room at West Lakes to cater for both staff and customer parking.
A Westfield West Lakes spokeswoman said providing convenient, accessible and safe carparking facilities for customers and retail partners was important to the company.
“This includes managing our carparking demand, taking into consideration surrounding land-uses, commuters and businesses,” the spokeswoman said.
“At Westfield West Lakes, we provide two designated parking areas for employees of our retail partners who choose to drive to work and make use of these dedicated parking areas.
“This includes all-day free parking for 218 cars available on the corner of Turner and Brebner Drive. This area is regularly patrolled by security.
“Additionally, over 300 onsite parking spaces are available on the Target rooftop, via the ramp off Brebner Drive for a subsidised fee of $3 per day. All parking is subject to availability.”
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