Granville Town Square to wipe out 70 parking spaces at Rowell, Cowper streets

A bustling green space plans to transform a western Sydney suburb with trees, markets and open air cinemas but there are fears it will compound parking gridlock.

Plans for Granville Town Square promise to provide open space for the suburb’s thousands of apartment dwellers but critics say it will come at a cost of wiping out parking spaces for train commuters.

Parramatta Council proposes the 2150sq m open urban plaza with a water play feature, 48 trees and 200sq m of dining space for part of the existing carpark at the corner of Rowell and Cowper streets, on the north side of Granville.

Cumberland Council controls the suburb’s south side.

The square will be built on Granville’s north side, closer to Parramatta Rd.

The proposal addresses the shortage of open spaces in the high-density suburb where multi-storey towers flank the train line and 5800 dwellings are proposed by 2036.

Community consultation in April showed 97 per cent of respondents advised shade was important, along with a village green and trees, family friendly events, temporary art installations and concerts.

But Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou criticised the plaza because it would wipe out 70 carparking spaces and place more strain on the Cumberland side and force drivers to search for parking there.

“Reducing car parks at Granville train station will spell disaster and frustration for commuters and locals alike,’’ Cr Christou said.

“Drivers will be forced to circle the suburb looking for car parks, which will increase traffic congestion. We want to encourage locals to take public transport, but reducing commuter carparks will have the opposite effect.”

Part of the carpark will make way for the pedestrian plaza.

He said he supported the suburb’s revitalisation but said Parramatta Council’s commitment to investigate extra commuter parking was “not good enough and will create traffic parking havoc in Granville”.

But Parramatta Liberal councillor Steve Issa, who represents the Granville ward, said the square was needed.

“We’re going to need some open spaces for the community to enjoy,’’ he said.

“I appreciate it comes with a loss of carparking but that is something we will consider on balance after assessing the consultation feedback.

“I think North Granville is in need of a change with the Parramatta Road Urban Renewal project and the increase of units.’’

Public feedback on Granville Square closed on June 28.

Parramatta Council will review feedback from the draft masterplan before it is finalised and goes to the council for adoption.

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