North East Link: Bulleen’s $69m Park and Ride to boast green roof, fast-tracked for construction
Commuters in Melbourne’s northeast have scored a big win with a $69 million Park and Ride bus hub to be fast-tracked. But not everyone is thrilled with the design and proposed capacity of the new facility.
Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leader . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Manningham residents will receive a public transport boost with work on a green-roofed $69 million Park and Ride bus hub to start early next year.
But Bulleen state Liberal MP Matthew Guy said the project doesn’t have enough parking and won’t replace the 1100 jobs set to be lost in the area due to North East Link.
The State Government has fast-tracked the creation of the Bulleen hub, which will be based on the corner of Thompsons Rd and Kampman St, next to the Eastern Freeway.
It was originally planned for the Boroondara Tennis Centre site on Bulleen Rd.
The Park and Ride will have 370 parking spaces and provide bus connections into the city and around Manningham with access to a dedicated bus lane along the freeway.
The design also includes a “green roof” with open space and links to nearby bike and walking trails.
Bulleen state Liberal MP Matthew Guy said while he welcomed the new facility, he felt it did little to compensate for 1100 jobs set to be lost in the suburb’s business precinct, which will be wiped out for North East Link.
He also hoped the government increased the carpark’s capacity, predicting it would be “full on day one”.
“The government gloating about having grass on the roof of carpark is not going to compensate for the loss of the precinct,” Mr Guy said.
“They owe the people of Manningham for where they’re going to get those extra 1100 jobs and how they’re going to compensate for it.”
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said 300 jobs would be created during construction of the Park and Ride, which was originally set to be finished by 2027.
North East Link chief executive Duncan Elliott said moving construction forward would lessen disruptions for residents, motorists and businesses and avoid clashes with major project works.
Construction is set to be finished by 2022, with works to upgrade the Doncaster Park and Ride to begin after that.
NE Link spokesman Aleks Devic said the Doncaster hub would have its parking capacity – currently at 370 spaces – boosted to more than 400 spots.
The Federal Government has committed $6 million towards the Doncaster upgrades.
Manningham Council chief executive Andrew Day said it would work closely with the North East Link Authority to minimise the impact of construction of the Bulleen hub on residents.
“Council has been advocating for years for improved bus services and transport facilities in
Manningham, so this new Park and Ride facility is a welcome addition,” Mr Day said.
Public consultation on the design of the Park and Ride is open until December 7 at engage.vic.gov.au
MORE: PUSH FOR NEW INNER CITY GARDEN
FOUR ARRESTED FOLLOWING DONCASTER CARPARK ATTACK