Darebin Council parking strategy favours walking, cycling over cars

All-day carparking would be axed around train stations in Melbourne’s north as part of Darebin Council’s latest plan to tackle street congestion. See which stations could be affected.

Carparking at train stations and near activity centres could be scrapped.

All-day parking around Darebin train stations would be scrapped as part of a council plan to cut down congestion and commuter parking.

In Darebin Council’s proposed parking strategy for 2019-2029, car spaces around stations would become two-hour zones only.

Restrictions would be put in place at Westgarth, Dennis, Fairfield, Alphington, Merri, Northcote, Croxton, Thornbury, Bell, Preston and Regent stations by the end of the year.

Restrictions at Reservoir, Ruthven and Keon Park stations are yet to be confirmed.

The same two-hour zones would apply to streets within 400m of High St.

Four-hour restrictions would apply near parks and sporting fields.

The strategy suggests that street parking make way for bigger footpaths, bike lanes and green space, when roads are upgraded.

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said parking management was “incredibly important” for Darebin, with the population expected to grow by 64,000 by 2041.

“Darebin will need to fit over 41,000 extra carparking spaces by 2041. However we have neither the space nor resources to deliver this,” she said.

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said the strategy was vital for Darebin’s future.

The parking strategy would prioritise “vibrancy” of activity centres, public transport, and drop-off zones for taxis and ride share services over parking for regular drivers.

And what public spaces are available are likely to be paid parking in order to recover costs, manage demand and provide a source of income.

The parking strategy follows Moreland Council’s plan to restrict driving around activity centres in favour of pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport planner Dr Elliot Fishman, who worked with the council to prepare the strategy, said the council had started a difficult but necessary task.

“Few areas of planning are as outdated and back-to-front as parking policy,” he said.

Darebin Ratepayers Group president Anne Laver said restricting parking around residential streets made sense but removing the ability to park near train stations was “ridiculous”.

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She said commuters in public transport-rich suburbs such as Northcote would be much better off than commuters other areas such as Reservoir.

“I can see the objectives of cutting down cars, I can understand that, but what’s the alternative?” she said.

Existing restrictions in High St shopping strips and Fairfield Village will not change.

The community can submit feedback on the draft strategy at the council’s Your Say website until June 18.

@richardapearce