$6 million to deliver 200 new carparking spaces at Eltham train station

Commuters are avoiding congested Eltham station because it’s so hard to find a park. But a $6 million plan is underway to solve the parking crisis and create hundreds of new spaces.

Menzies MP Kevin Andrews and Cr Peter Clarke say Eltham rail station is in desperate need of more carparking spaces. Picture: James Ross

A $6 million cash splash will deliver 200 additional parking spaces to the Eltham train station.

But there is still no timeline on when the works will be done.

Nillumbik Councillor Peter Clarke said a masterplan was being developed for the new carpark spaces, following a Federal Coalition pre-election promise in May.

Land abutting the Eltham Football Ground and scouts hall was among the sites being considered.

The new parking bays will be a significant boost to the station’s 397-space carpark, and help to ease parking congestion for commuters such as Leo Scott.

“I am lucky I can walk to the station if I need to catch the train, but I know it’s always a hassle to find a park there,” Mr Scott said.

“The area is so crowded, residential streets are clogged and commuters are even using the nearby shopping centre — it’s a major problem.”

Commuters have described finding a park at Eltham rail station as problematic. Picture: Hamish Blair

Menzies federal Liberal MP Kevin Andrews said the money was “ready to go”.

“It’s a promise I want to see delivered,” he said.

“There is a lot of space beside the football oval — it’s where most cars park, so it seems to me there is potential there to increase the parking.”

But Cr Clarke said more work was needed, including major upgrades to the station and bus interchange to improve access for seniors and people with a disability.

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“The station itself has no disability access,” he said.

“The bus interchange is tired and needs additional shelters — the whole precinct hasn’t had much of an upgrade in about 30 years.”

Mr Scott said people in a wheelchair often struggled to access the main station.

“It’s not impossible for them, but it’s definitely awkward,” he said.

“They have to go down the ramp and beneath the rail line and then a steep climb up just to get to the other side.”

Cr Clarke said the council had met with rail authorities, but no timeline on delivering the parking spaces had been set.

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