North Parramatta: Council, business group call for Fennell St carpark to reopen

A popular carpark once used by Parra Eels fans, office workers and Harry’s Cafe de Wheels customers could finally be returned as a parking lot – a solution supporters say “can’t happen fast enough”.

Just like the Fennell St carpark, Harry's Cafe de Wheels had to go to make way for the light rail.

A popular North Parramatta carpark used by Eels fans, office workers or those on a KFC or Harry’s Cafe de Wheels run could be returned as a parking lot in an effort to ease the crisis in the CBD.

The Fennell St carpark closed five years ago so Transport for NSW could use the site as a stabling yard while construction of the Parramatta light rail was under way.

The closure wiped out 121 spots – and contributed to the loss of 2000 spots across the CBD in five years so major services including the Metro, Powerhouse Museum and light rail could be built.

Parramatta Council is now preparing a report to explore the best use of the key site, whether it’s a carpark, green space or a community facility after Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said it had the potential to deliver public benefit in the suburb where vacant land was very scarce.

“Just like Marion St (Harris Park) I think it’s a key piece of infrastructure we need to proceed with as soon as possible, especially now that the light rail has opened,’’ he said.

The Fennell St carpark was used as a stabling yard when the light rail was being built.

Councillor Judy Greenwood dubbed the site a weed-infested eyesore.

“I know that many people who live in the area are looking for something to be done on that site as soon as possible, so this can’t happen fast enough in my opinion,’’ she said.

Judy Greenwood.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter.

Council staff will present a report to the council by October 31 to determine how to best use the site.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said it would return the former carpark to the council shortly as part of the development agreement.

The council, KFC and TfNSW own the whole block but the council solely owns the carpark.

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger has supported the carpark proposal and urged TfNSW to free up the space on Fennell St.

Parramatta light rail construction in North Parramatta in January 2021. Picture: John McNamara

“We’re in a carpark crisis,’’ he said.

“We’ve lost so many parking stations including the Powerhouse and this is a simple fix.

“It should be available to the public. Let’s not waste time in allowing the public to use it. Everybody knows parking’s hard in Parramatta.’’

Mr Borger said with the KFC and Cheesecake Shop gone from Fennell St, another 30 spots could accommodate a total of 150 on the lot.

The suggestion to repurpose the Fennell St site aligns with the NRMA recommendations made in a report into the parking crisis in the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs.

The business chamber also prepared the report, Parkin’ Mad, with the NRMA, of which Mr Borger is also a director.

David Borger.

Mr Borger welcomed the services such as the light rail but said it had worsened navigation in the CBD.

The report said the redevelopment of the Riverside Theatres would double its capacity to 2780 seats, drawing about 400,000 visitors annually but despite the anticipated surge in demand, the theatres and attractions such as CommBank had no or little parking.

The business chamber is also calling for a NSW Parliamentary western Sydney parking inquiry to address parking shortages, improve drop-off zones, and expand parking capacity in CBDs, hospitals and key transport hubs.

Across all of Sydney, drivers’ wallets are being stung with median daily parking fees of $77.30 – making the fees almost double compared with a similar-sized US city.