Westpoint Blacktown carpark to ‘substantially reopen’ within months

Westpoint Blacktown has confirmed that it will reopen a ‘substantial’ section of its carpark in the second half of the year.

Blacktown Westpoint has confirmed that a substantial section of its carpark will reopen in August after structural works. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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Shoppers at Westpoint Blacktown will have to wait a few more months until the end of the carpark closure crisis, with the centre planning a “substantial reopening” in the second half of the year.

Centre manager Agata Rynkiewicz said the first stage of the carpark’s reopening would take place in August, about a year after structural issues forced its closure.

Work to rectify structural issues in sections of the Westpoint Blacktown carpark has been in place since August 2018. Picture: Kate Lockley

“We have recently completed a key portion of works which has provided further clarity on expected timings, and we expect to open the first stage of our partially closed carpark at the end of August,” Ms Rynkiewicz said.

“This substantial reopening of customer parking will see the capacity exceed the number of vehicles seen during Westpoint’s busiest periods prior to the partial car park closure, including Christmas trade in 2017.”

Carpark entry/exit points onto Balmoral St and pedestrian access doors into the centre from the carpark are also expected to open at this time.

She said work was on schedule to have the entire carpark open by Christmas.

“We remain on track to reopen the final remaining car park spaces before the busy Christmas period,” Ms Rynkiewicz said.

Shoppers can expect a new look carpark once it reopens, with new lighting and fresh paint work.

Traffic backed up on Alpha St, Blacktown trying to get into Westpoint. Picture: Heath Parkes-Hupton

Westpoint closed more than half its carpark — about 2500 spaces — after issues with support pillars were uncovered in August last year.

The centre has since undertaken concrete remediation works, the installation of bracings, and footing reinforcements to rectify the issues.

Ms Rynkiewicz thanked shoppers for their patience.

“We are so grateful to our Westpoint community for their ongoing support for our retailers and for continuing to shop local during this unanticipated car park closure,” she said.

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