By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has slammed the design of new carparks proposed for two of the municipality’s train stations, describing the plans as “a dog’s breakfast” and “absolute shambles”.
The council has submitted a report on the draft carpark designs for Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations to a community consultation process, which closed on Monday.
The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) was planning to potentially build 500 new and upgraded parking spaces at Tarneit to the north-east of the station, and an extension of the car park parallel to Leakes Road on the station’s south side.
A total of 380 new and upgraded parking spaces are proposed for Wyndham Vale, including a new car park along Hobbs Road to the north of Ballan Road.
The council report said some of the new carparks would be such a long walk from the stations that measures such as CCTV would be needed to ensure commuters felt safe.
Cr Josh Gilligan the plans for Tarneit station included only one vehicle entry and exit point to Derrimut Road.
He said that it could already take commuters up to 20 minutes to leave the “overflow” carpark at the station.
Cr Gilligan said increasing the number of car parks, but forcing all vehicles to leave via a single exit, could push the waiting time up to 40 minutes.
“I have no doubt it will take you longer to get out of the car park than it will to get to and from the train station in and out of the CBD,” he said.
“I just see this being a total disaster.”
In relation to the new car park proposed for Wyndham Vale, Cr Peter Maynard said it would be a long walk for commuters to the station.
“To put it up to where rail siding is, any able-bodied person would need a cut lunch and an Esky to get to the station, and that’s in nice weather,” he said.
Cr Sarah McIntyre and Cr Jasmine Hill said more secure bike parking was also needed at both stations, as opposed to adding new bicycle hoops.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said: “The Victorian government is delivering 500 new and upgraded car parking spaces at Tarneit – one of the largest station car parks in the state – providing more choice for passengers catching the train.
“We’ve asked the community to provide their feedback as part of planning consultation for the new car parking spaces at Tarneit.”
Early options for the new parking at Tarneit station included consideration of an upgraded northern car park, as well as an eastern extension.
However, following stakeholder consultation, the designs have “evolved to provide for improved integration with Wyndham council’s proposed Tarneit Major Town Centre Urban Design Framework”.
Works are scheduled to begin on the new car park early next year and be completed in late 2022.
