Carparks at busy stations to be expanded under a national park and ride fund

THE morning nightmare of trying to find a park at your local railway station could soon be over with carparks at busy stations to be expanded under a proposed national fund.

Busy Sandown Park Station Carpark. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CARPARKS at busy suburban railway stations would be expanded under a national park and ride fund if Labor wins the next federal election.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten vowed yesterday to establish a $300 million fund for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs.

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He said the fund would deliver grants to local communities — through state and local governments — to ease parking congestion in high-growth areas with demonstrated commuter need.

“Too many residents in our cities and major regional areas are frustrated at the lack of available parking at train and bus stations as they travel into the city for work,” Mr Shorten said.

“At town hall meetings across the country, locals have told Labor MPs, Senators and candidates that they are fed up with the car park at their station being completely full early in the morning.”

Busy Sandown Park station. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He said it meant people were forced to park far away from their railway or bus station or they were instead driving into the city.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said governments had not invested in infrastructure to keep up with rapid population growth in outer suburbs and regional areas.

He said a federal Labor government would partner with local communities to fund the projects on a co-investment basis.

As part of the application process, local and state governments would be asked to demonstrate that a car park is the best solution and most cost-effective way to use available land.

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