Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar unable to give timeline for Maroondah’s $60m multi-deck carparks

Work on four multi-deck train station carparks in the booming outer eastern suburbs promised by the Federal Government won’t begin until mid-2020, with start times for three still not confirmed.

A train leaving Croydon railway station. Picture: Kiel Egging

Construction won’t start on $60 million in new carparks for Maroondah commuters until the middle of next year at the earliest.

The Federal Government has pledged to build four $15 million multi-deck carparks at Croydon, Ringwood, Heatherdale and Heathmont stations.

Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar announced funding for the Croydon and Ringwood carparks in February, and Croydon’s proposed design was also unveiled.

Federal urban infrastructure minister Alan Tudge and Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar at February’s announcement of a new multi-deck carpark in Croydon. Picture: David Crosling.

He then promised the Heatherdale and Heathmont carparks during May’s federal election campaign.

But Mr Sukkar was unable to give a construction timeline for the carparks, except that he wanted them built “as soon as possible”.

He emphasised there was “no hold up” with making money available and he understood Maroondah Council was in the middle of planning works.

“The funding required to build these new carparks is available and ready to go, so there is no hold up at the Federal Government’s end,” Mr Sukkar said.

“As is standard practice, funding agreements are scheduled to be signed early next year once the council concludes its planning works.”

A start date and location is yet to be announced for the new multi-deck carpark at Ringwood railway station, which was announced in February. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

The council was also unable to give a construction timeline but did confirm Croydon’s carpark would be the first one built.

Mayor Mike Symon said construction would begin in mid-2020 if the council’s funding request was processed shortly by the Federal Government.

He did not say when Maroondah’s other three carparks would be built but said each carpark would take about a year to build.

“The council is reviewing location and design options with the aim of starting all projects as

a priority,” he said.

An initial artist's impression of the new multi-deck carpark to be built at Croydon railway station. Picture: Maroondah Council.

Nathan Hill, who runs The Croydon Project Facebook page, feared there would be “traffic chaos” in Croydon without an another carpark.

Mr Hill was also concerned about the impact of level crossing removal works and upgrades at Mooroolbark and Lilydale railway stations further up the line.

“While Mooroolbark and Lilydale stations get completely redeveloped, Croydon’s existing station, roads, pedestrian connections, bus interchange and bicyclist network need drastic improvement considering the huge amount of additional cars that will travel to Croydon to simply catch the train,” he said.

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Eastern Transport Coalition chairman Stuart James said the group was also concerned about potential traffic chaos in Croydon.

“The Lilydale line is already one of the most unreliable lines on the network and commuters are sick and tired of being taken for granted,” he said.

Cr Symon said the carpark would be completed before the start of works at Mooroolbark and Lilydale and the council would provide alternative parking during construction.

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