Parking woes increase in Marrickville, Tempe, Sydenham, St Peters after Sydney Metro opening, T3 train line closure

Residents of Sydney’s inner west are struggling to find a spot in their own streets, with the recent closure of a train line adding to existing parking pressure created by the new Metro.

Residents of Sydney’s inner west are struggling to find a spot in their own streets, with the recent closure of a train line adding to existing parking pressure created by the new Metro.

In some instances, commuters are heading further into the suburbs and being forced to leave their cars kilometres from the closest station.

The Inner West Council is now scrambling to address the issue, as frustrated locals battle to park on their constantly “packed” roads.

This masthead previously revealed commuters had been left facing carpark chaos, with stations gridlocked early in the morning.

Sydenham locals like Anthony Angelo have been left to pay the price as travellers head further into the suburbs in search of a spot.

Sydenham Station on the Metro’s opening day. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said the parking problem had become so bad, he had to write to the council.

“I’ve been here for 15 years and parking has always been an issue, but it’s gotten worse with the Metro opening,” he said.

One resident said he wouldn't live in the area if he didn't have a garage. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“We’re lucky as it’s only two-hour parking here on weekdays so it can be bearable at times, but the weekends are a different story.

“From Friday 6pm until Monday 8.30am, it’s completely full.

“You can’t find a park anywhere because the two-hour limit is removed.

“I usually won’t move my car but, if I do, I’ll end up having to park a few streets away.”

Parking has been described as “tight” since the Metro opening.

Follow Sydenham resident Will Elliott, who moved in after the Metro opened, said the parking situation was so bad, he wouldn’t have moved there if he didn’t have a secure spot.

“There is never any parking,” he said.

“It’s definitely packed. Any time we get a deliveries or things dropped off by a car or truck, it’s always tight.

“If we knew we didn’t have a garage, we wouldn’t have moved here because it would be too hard to get in and out of the house with no parks about.”

The Inner West Council recently resolved to undertaking parking studies in local suburbs, passing a motion put forward by Deputy Mayor Mat Howard.

Inner West Deputy Mayor Mat Howard hopes parking studies will be completed in the next few months.

With the popularity of the Metro, followed by the recent closure of T3 train line between Bankstown and Sydenham, Cr Howard said commuters were having to find spots near the Princes Hwy, affecting residents in Marrickville, Tempe, Sydenham and St Peters.

“We know lots of people are travelling to the station and parking around local streets,” he said at a council meeting.

“When I was door-knocking and speaking with residents, it was raised time and time again that the current park arrangement in the streets around the train line is stretching further and further into the suburbs.

“People living right near the Princes Hwy are having the same problem because commuters are parking that far away.”

Mr Howard also indicated parking in the area had always been a problem.

“Parking around Sydenham and Tempe has been a long-standing issue, well before the opening of the Metro,” he said.

“It’s been ongoing for quite some time and, with the opening of the Metro, you have more people coming to park as they want to enjoy the benefits that Metro provides, which has exacerbated the issue.”

Mr Howard’s motion to urgently undertake parking studies in suburbs was unanimously approved in a council meeting on October 22, but is yet to be given a timeline for its completion.

“The opening of brand new, exciting infrastructure makes this the perfect time to review our parking arrangements in local streets around Sydenham and Tempe stations,” he said.

“We haven’t put a timeline on it because it’s quite a large area and I wanted to get feedback from staff, but I’d hope this would happen in the next couple of months.”