Schofields to get $40m multi-storey carpark

Schofields commuters will get a $40 million multi-storey carpark under a Liberal Party pledge ahead of the State Election.

Kevin Conolly (centre) with commuters at Schofields train station celebrating the news.

• Our street is a carpark
• Schofields’ struggles

Schofields commuters will get a $40 million multi-storey carpark under a Liberal Party pledge ahead of the State Election.

Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Conolly today said the party would allocate the funds for a multi-storey carpark with up to 700 spaces.

“We know that commuters using Schofields station have been calling for more

carparking spaces,” Mr Conolly said.

Mr Conolly said the carpark would be built by the end of 2020 but about 130 temporary spaces would be provided next to the station while it was under construction.

Wendy and Kurt Hippe at Bridge St, Schofields, where cars clog the street. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Work on this solution will get under way in January with the extra spaces open

to customers in the first quarter of 2019,” Mr Conolly said.

The extra parking will be allocated under the NSW Government’s Transport

Access Program.

The news comes just days after the Rouse Hill Times reported how commuters suffered a setback after Labor claimed Liberal voted against supporting its pledge in Parliament for a carpark.

In September local, state and federal Labor pledged $30 million for 500 extra spaces at Schofields train station.

The new carpark will have up to 700 spaces. Picture: Joel Carrett

However, Mr Conolly dismissed the claims and said the party did not want to give NSW treasury spokesman Ryan Park “time to bag out the government”.

Labor pushed political rivalry aside and welcomed the funding.

“I am delighted that our community will now get the carpark they deserve — regardless of who wins government at the next State Election,’’ Rivestone state Labor candidate Annemarie Christie said.

“We have been calling for the NSW Government to match Labor’s commitment of carparking at Schofields for the last five months,’’ she said.

“Today, he backflipped on his own statements that parking was not necessary at Schofields as there was adequate parking on the nearby Metro line.

“The people of Schofields have had their say and I’m so pleased that he has matched our commitment to provide a multi-storey carpark for our commuters.

I will not stop putting pressure on our Government to provide for the people of the Riverstone electorate. We deserve better.”

Greenway federal Labor MP Michelle Rowland said the announcement followed ffive years of tireless campaigning across the community and thousands of signatures.

“This victory proves that by listening to the community and having the determination to get results, we can change things for the better and improve the quality of life for local residents.,’’ she said.

“Credit must also go to The Rouse Hill Times, for their strong coverage of this important community campaign over the past five years”