Westfield Southland hints at paid parking on Facebook post

ANOTHER Melbourne shopping centre is set to introduce paid parking, and shoppers are not happy.

A paid parking system like this one at Eastland is set to be rolled out at Southland. Picture: Steve Tanner

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WESTFIELD Southland looks set to introduce paid parking just months before the new train station opens.

Responding to questions on social media from anxious shoppers who had heard rumours of the plan, Westfield revealed the centre was introducing a “new advanced parking system” as a part of an upgrade.

“The new system will allow for a fast and easy exit as well as access to more car spaces. This will be controlled parking with the first three hours free for everyone,” the Facebook post said.

Parking at Southland is currently a mix of all day and timed zones, most of which have four-hour restrictions. Those who over stay the maximum hours can be fined.

Westfield Southland's post on their Facebook Page about paid parking.

“What do you expect when the rail station opens and shoppers want to find a park for their weekly grocery shop and can’t,? she asked.

Westfield said the changes were planned for November. The the new station is due to be operational sometime between November and Christmas.

Angry shopper Tracey Elizabeth slammed the move as disgusting and said “greedy profit making will drive customers away”.

But another, Kath Shield, said the centre was protecting itself from commuters who might use the centre carparks when Southland Station opens.

Bentleigh MP Nick Staikos said parking at Westfield was a matter for the centre.

“They are going to find a way no doubt of preventing commuters from parking at Southland,” Mr Staikos said.

“It’ll be a bit tricky for people going for dinner and a movie but maybe they’ll work out a way around that.”

Neighbours of the Southland train station have for years been voicing their fears about the lack

of carparks for commuters they fear will flood the station.

An artist's impression of what Southland train station will look like.

While the State Government claims the station will mostly be a shop-stop and not a commuter hub, people living nearby, especially on Tulip St which will have station access, are worried commuters’ cars will clog their street.

Paid parking is already a controversial issue at Westfield’s Doncaster and Eastland sites.

Recently more than 500 people complained about parking at Eastland on the Maroondah Noticeboard Facebook and there were complaints about long queues, frustrated shoppers and overcharging in the weeks after Westfield Doncaster’s ticketing system was introduced.

Southland management has not returned Leader’s calls or emails.