Works on commuter carparks at Croydon, Ringwood, Heathmont and Heatherdale won’t start until 2021
The Federal Government unveiled its big plan to give commuters in the east desperately needed multi-deck carpark early last year. But hold to your tickets because more work delays have been announced.
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Commuters won’t be getting relief at overcrowded Maroondah railway stations any time soon with more delays for the long-promised multi-deck carparks.
Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar announced $60 million to build the carparks early last year with up to 500 all-day spaces at Croydon, Ringwood, Heathmont and Heatherdale railway stations.
In December, Maroondah mayor Mike Symon said Croydon’s carpark would be built first, with construction to kick off mid-2020.
But this week the council said construction would not begin until early 2021 — the same time works would begin at Ringwood station
It did not say why work on the Croydon carpark — to be built over an existing carpark on Devon St — had been delayed despite artist impressions being revealed 14 months ago.
However, Cr Symon confirmed the council had purchased land on the corner of Canterbury Rd and Johnson St for the planned carpark at Heathmont, after sold signs from Appleby Real Estate — who did not return calls — were recently placed at the site.
Cr Symon did not say how much the council had spent to purchase the site.
“The contract to purchase remains confidential until settlement and transfer of ownership is concluded later this year,” he said.
“It is expected that construction will commence mid to late 2021.”
The council has earmarked land its owns on the corner of Bedford Rd and Station St for the Ringwood carpark, where a Celebrations bottle shop is based.
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However, Cr Symon said a site was yet to be found for a carpark to “support” Heatherdale commuters.
“The location for the carpark to support Heatherdale station is still to be determined, with a number of options being considered,” he said.
“It is expected that a site will be selected by August 2020.”
Eastern Transport Coalition chairman Stuart James said the group was disappointed with the ongoing delays in delivering the new carparks.
“The Federal Government made commitments for a number of carparks in the Deakin electorate in the lead-up to the 2019 election.,” Mr James said.
“The government has a responsibility to our community to ensure that their commitments are delivered in this term of office.”
Mr Sukkar, who was also grilled by commuters about the progress of a promised carpark at Mitcham railway station in February, did not respond to inquiries.