Carlingford: No update for Oakes Rd commuter carpark
Almost a year after more than $700,000 was pledged for a commuter carpark in northwest Sydney, construction has not started nor has a site been picked.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- North Rocks family discovers snake in garage
- Parramatta night life plan inspired by Melbourne
- Carlingford carpark plans stall
Commuters wanting to know what happened to $788,000 allocated for a desperately needed carpark at Carlingford have been left wondering after the State Government refused to update constituents on the project.
The delay comes after claims Transport for NSW last week asked Parramatta Council to build a carpark at Rainbow Farm Reserve.
“It will be laughed out of town,’’ a source, who asked not to be named, said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman denied the reserve was being considered as a commuter carpark location.
Meanwhile, Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott has failed to answer questions about carpark funding pledged in a November newsletter.
It stated that the NSW Budget had allocated the figure to fast-track the 275-space, multi-deck carpark near the Oakes Rd M2 T-way.
He also wrote that construction would start late this year, take between 12 and 18 months to be completed and that Transport Minister Andrew Constance assured him a Review of Environmental Factors document would be prepared.
However, Mr Elliott did not respond to queries about an update where the funds had been directed.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman did not provide an update and, instead, issued the same response to the Hills Shire Times from last month’s queries about the carpark.
“Transport for NSW is continuing to investigate options for additional commuter parking to service public transport customers using the M2 motorway,’’ she said.
“With Sydney Metro North West now operational, overall patronage on bus services utilising the M2 motorway has decreased by around 35 per cent.’’
Last month, the Times reported how the government could renege on plans for the carpark because four houses would have to be bought to develop the carpark.
It is understood rules stipulates properties cannot be acquired for carparks but the Transport for NSW denied that.
Hills Shire Labor councillor Ryan Tracey said the government could not use the Metro as an excuse for decreasing bus patronage.
“The streets are completely chock-a-block so people are having to park further and further from the station, and it’s really impeding access to people getting out of their houses in the morning and that’s what it’s doing for locals,’’ he said.
Cr Tracey said there was huge demand from commuters wanting to catch the bus because it was more convenient than the Metro.
“People are driving from parts of Baulkham Hills and parts that aren’t serviced by the Metro,’’ he said.
“There’s a swath from Baulkham Hills North and West Pennant Hills. Carlingford railway doesn’t go anywhere and people are coming from the Parramatta local government area.’’
IN OTHER NEWS
