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Wentworthville parking spots to increase but Pendle Hill misses out

Wentworthville drivers have been promised more than 120 extra car spaces but the State Government reversed its promise to provide commuter parking in the neighbouring suburb.

Chris Molaro and Eliza Villanueva at Wentworthville Commuter Carpark.
Chris Molaro and Eliza Villanueva at Wentworthville Commuter Carpark.

Wentworthville’s commuter carpark will expand from 168 to 300 spots but the government has failed to deliver more parking for neighbouring Pendle Hill.

Transport for NSW has admitted it failed to allocate 130 more commuter carparking spaces at the Civic Park carpark near Pendle Hill train station since 2015 when it started working with Cumberland Council to explore allocating the spots in the suburb.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to find a suitable solution,” a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.

No expansion is planned for Pendle Hill commuter carpark. Picture: Angelo Velardo
No expansion is planned for Pendle Hill commuter carpark. Picture: Angelo Velardo
Unlike Pendle Hill, Wentworthville commuters such as Chris Molaro and Eliza Villanueva will have more parking spots.
Unlike Pendle Hill, Wentworthville commuters such as Chris Molaro and Eliza Villanueva will have more parking spots.

The solution was to allocate the parking to Wentworthville train station but the government could not provide specific venue or date for the rollout.

The spokeswoman said work would soon start on identifying the extra spaces.

Wentworthville commuter carpark. Generic Wentworthville photos.
Wentworthville commuter carpark. Generic Wentworthville photos.

“Once a preferred site has been identified, design and detailed planning will begin to determine whether the additional spaces will be provided via a multi-storey or an at-grade car park,’’ she said.

“The community will be kept informed as the project progresses.”

Councillor Lisa Lake at Pendle Hill where she wanted a carpark built before a unit development popped up. Picture: Angelo Velardo
Councillor Lisa Lake at Pendle Hill where she wanted a carpark built before a unit development popped up. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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Chris Molaro and Eliza Villanueva have had a smooth introduction to the parking at the commuter carpark opposite Wentworthville station.

The couple recently moved to Wentworthville and works in the city but the real test will come when school returns.

The demand for more parking in Wentworthville was underlined during the public’s feedback for the council’s Wentworthville Town Centre plan when lack of parking emerged as a chief concern.

The concerns come as the council deals with an influx of development applications and braces for 1800 extra dwellings as part of the suburb’s overhaul.

A unit block planned for Station St and Pritchard St East.
A unit block planned for Station St and Pritchard St East.

Last month, Cumberland Council agreed to investigate building a major off-street carpark in the centre of Wentworthville after councillor Lisa Lake called for the matter to be explored.

Cr Lake said the State Government’s recent report into the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) identified the need for school upgrades and more social housing at Wentworthville but not a commuter carpark.

“They don’t talk at all about any commitment to commuter carparking along that Wentworthville, Westmead line and, in fact, we know we’ve got parking issues right back to Toongabbie, Pendle Hill so I think it’s really important we acknowledge right now, because we’re anticipating DAs (development applications) for Wentworthville,’’ she said.

“From a planning perspective I think there would be benefits in at least one major off-street carpark being created that is multi-storey and complements the increased building heights and densities in the town centre planning proposal that has now been adopted by the council.’’

A report into the major carpark will be prepared for the council.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/wentworthville-parking-spots-to-increase-but-pendle-hill-misses-out/news-story/dda373f9f9fabc40efdb541c812f0f44