Residents struggle to access Melton food bank due to parking issues

A car park shortage is hindering access to crucial community services in Melton but council has pushed the issue aside. Find out why.

Financially struggling residents are battling to access support and pick up food packages, pushing a community group to make a desperate plea for the council to act.

The accessibility issue at a Melton food bank has stemmed from residents battling over a small number of car parks also shared by users of a childcare centre, a school, sports clubs and training courses.

A petition submitted in late 2021 was finally addressed by City of Melton councillors this week, who voted to delay making a decision about providing additional car spaces at the Melton South Community Centre and Mt Carberry Reserve.

The petition, submitted by the community centre and boasting 129 signatures, requested more car parks to service the surrounding area as growing demand at the food bank had resulted in traffic chaos and accessibility issues.

A map displaying the other facilities which make use of the car park at Melton South Community Centre/ Mt Carberry Reserve. Picture: City of Melton

The Friday food bank at Melton South services up to 200 families, supported by staff and 10 volunteers.

Council’s March agenda reveals it has three options: maintain existing facilities, upgrade the centre car park or upgrade the neighbouring preschool car park.

The community centre and reserve are currently serviced by two separate car parks with a total of 38 spaces, but 23 of those are shared with the childcare centre. Each block has two disabled parks.

The report indicated an upgrade to the community centre car park would cost an estimated $250,000, while upgrading the childcare centre car park would be a further $300,000 but likely redundant given the proposed expansion of Mt Carberry Preschool expected to begin in 2026-27.

A proposal of what an expanded car park at the Melton South Community Centre would look like. Picture: Supplied

A letter sent to councillors before Monday night’s vote, seen by Leader, sought to address a number of details which were “obviously wrong” and raised issue with the fact the community centre was not consulted.

“Please consider that we need to be consulted and that we live with these issues daily and would like to be included in the decision that could affect us as a community,” the letter read.

While the original recommendation to councillors was to not support the petition, an amended motion was passed and saw Council refer it to the next budget process for consideration, as well as supporting the implementation of a “car park plan” and brochures.

Cr Sophie Ramsey, who moved the amended motion, said she acknowledged there were a lot of elderly patrons, as well as people carrying heavy items such as sewing machines, so she looked forward to discussing the matter further in future.

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