Call for budget money to solve Sunbury’s endless parking crush
LACK of Sunbury car spaces continues to infuriate locals, despite promises and a council vow to undertake a parking audit.
North West
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A SOLUTION to parking problems around Sunbury train station continues to elude residents despite past commitments from government.
The Sunbury Residents’ Association earlier this month wrote to Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull regarding $8.7 million in funding set aside in the 2017-18 State Budget for additional parking at train stations.
In 2009, 100 extra spots were promised by the Brumby government at Sunbury station, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
The letter asked for a commitment to the cause from Mr Bull, who told the Leader he had written to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on the matter.
Mr Bull said the City of Hume needed to work closely with all governments on parking matters.
“I’m in regular contact with both Hume’s elected councillors and the CEO regarding the provision of parking facilities in the Sunbury CBD,” he said.
“I stress regularly that the council needs to work with government agencies, local business owners and developers to ensure parking is made available to our community.”
The residents’ association wrote the letter due to the stress on parking at the station which is spilling over into neighbouring streets.
Association president Peter Free said commuters had to be early risers to get a spot on weekdays.
“It just fills up very quickly and you have to be there before 7 in the morning,” he said.
RELATED 2017: New limits to stop all-day parking
RELATED 2016: Sunbury residents, traders increase preasure over parking
RELATED 2015: Sunbury car parks in demand
RELATED 2013: Call for car space allocation in Sunbury
“Cars are filling up other streets and other parts of the town, it’s a real problem.
“You feel for the people that are going to work, they have to park their car somewhere.”
The Leader reported on May 16 that council would restrict some parking in Pasley St to four hours to restrict train travellers filling up the street.
Sunbury resident Stephen Kennedy has set up an online petition calling for more parking in the town, which has so far attracted 290 supporters.
Mr Free said the residents just wanted what was promised to them by the government.
“All we’re asking is that (Mr Bull) can go to the minister and say ‘out of that $8.7 million, can we give some to Sunbury?’” he said.
YOUR SAY: What is your best solution to fix Sunbury CBD’s car parking problems? Email sunbury@leadernewspapers.com.au or leave a comment below.
IT’S COMPLEX, SAYS HUME COUNCIL
HUME Council says solving the frustrating lack of car spaces in Sunbury is a “complex negotiation” as it vows to undertake a parking audit.
“Much of available parking in Sunbury is on private land and there are several historical agreements in place involving different parties,” said the council’s sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite.
“Council is committed to achieving positive outcomes and has been working with all landowners and the State Government to explore all available options.”
Mr Waite said the council understood that “commuters, residents and traders had a range of concerns, and sometimes conflicting expectations, for parking in Sunbury, including at the train station”.
He said the council planned to undertake a parking audit of the Sunbury Town Centre area in 2017/18 and would complete a local area traffic management (LATM) plan.
“The LATM will give us a better understanding of the traffic management issues within the precinct and will propose treatments that address any safety issues,” he said.
“Council has also called on the State Government to consider increasing Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution funding to Sunbury to alleviate some pressure given the anticipated growth of the area.”
Mr Waite said that in the long term, the Sunbury South Precinct Structure Plan called for the construction of a new Sunbury South rail station.
“Council understands that this station would be primarily a park-and-ride station that would provide a large number of parking spaces that would relieve some of the demand for long-term or commuter parking spaces within the Sunbury Town Centre,” he said.
“The State Government is yet to make a commitment to the delivery of this station, however council is advocating for its delivery.”
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