Acute parking pain predicted for Campbelltown CBD
The Campbelltown CBD needs up to 2800 additional parking spaces to meet demand according to a new report, but they may not be provided in the near future.
Macarthur
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The Campbelltown CBD needs up to 2800 additional parking spaces to meet demand, but they may not be provided in the near future.
Campbelltown councillors last night endorsed the Campbelltown CBD Car Parking Strategy Report, which anticipated a surge in parking demand over the next 20 years.
It is predicted that at least 430 extra commuters would use Campbelltown Railway Station, and that an estimated 1400-2800 parking bays would be needed in the CBD.
The report states this“could be achieved via a range of supply options,” but councillors have not yet put forward what these supply options may be.
Campbelltown Labor Mayor George Brticevic said provisions for parking in the CBD were still in the early planning stages, and the council was still waiting on the State Government to deliver the promised commuter carpark at Campbelltown Station.
“We’re forecasting for growth and trying to get prepared,” Cr Brticevic said. “This is a strategy for the future and it’s about finding a balance between parking for the commercial and employment precinct and parking for public transport and commuters.
“Council has a lot of landholdings, but we also don’t want to sterilise all our land with parking — acres of parking spaces won’t do anything for the economy and we also want to be encouraging people to use buses and trains.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’re willing to work hard, but a lot of the roads are covered by the state or federal governments so we also need co-operation.”
Cr Brticevic said while specific sites for parking had not yet been identified, he would prioritise alleviating congestion and improving road access.
He also pledged to continue pushing the State Government to deliver on its Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s election promise.
The discussion follows the announcement that restricted parking would be introduced at both Campbelltown Mall and Macarthur Square, further limiting parking options for commuters.
Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said he would continue to push for the government to deliver a commuter carpark.
“The Berejiklian Government is yet to fulfil its promise for 450 new parking spaces at Campbelltown Station, and I’ll be continuing to push for this,” Mr Warren said.
“It’s an issue now which will only increase as our urban population continues to grow.
“It needs to be part of the masterplan and any development plans for Campbelltown, and I commend Campbelltown Council for getting on the front foot on this one.”
Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce treasurer Ian Fulton said extra parking, preferably in the form of a multistorey carpark, was essential.
“It’s absolutely critical that we improve parking, I’d say we’d need to be looking at a number on the higher end of that figure (2800 spaces).
“We probably need a multistorey between Queen St and Moore Oxley, and the preferred location for commuter parking would be the western side of the station.
“I know council is looking to develop its site on the western side into a commercial and technology hub, so if this goes ahead it should include parking, perhaps linked to Campbelltown Mall, with pedestrian access to the station.”
Labor Councillor Meg Oates said she was pleased to see further planning for the CBD, but commented that commuter parking also needed to be provided in other areas.
“While this is great news, we need to be looking at parking around other stations as well, especially where commuters are encroaching on main roads,” Cr Oates said.
Cr Brticevic said it could be possible to asphalt one of the grass areas at Macquarie Fields Railway Station to provide further parking for commuters.
He will also investigate the possibility of opening areas of Campbelltown council parking to the public.
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