Wyndham’s commuter car park shortage could be eased, with Metro Trains and a private shopping centre considering plans to provide more spaces, according to council.
As commuter frustration with inadequate parking grows, the council has revealed two options to ease overcrowding at Wyndham’s three stations.
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said the council had “made representation to Metro Trains about commuter parking”.
“Metro Trains are currently considering plans to increase parking in the Werribee area, on their land, and a decision on the style and location of this parking will be made by them.” She did not reveal where the new commuter car parks would be.
“[The council] is in conversation with [Hoppers Crossing shopping] centre management about the possible use of parking at the rear of Target for commuter parking, and this project is progressing.
“It is expected there will be some commuter parking in local streets around railway stations, where the needs of commuters, residents and shoppers all need to be considered.
“In the residential streets north of Werribee and Hoppers Crossing stations, [the council] has implemented a system with two-hour parking on one side of the street and all-day parking on the other to allow for the parking needs of all road users.”
Shopping centre management confirmed talks were under way to provide commuter parking.
A severe shortage of commuter parking hit social media in the lead-up to the March long weekend, when people complained that numerous motorists were fined at Williams Landing station.
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman said there were “no immediate plans to extend or build a multi-deck car park at Williams Landing”, which had one of the largest metropolitan railway car parks, with 500 spaces.
“PTV is working closely with Wyndham City Council to investigate options for increasing station parking in the Wyndham area,” the spokeswoman said.
SUE HEWITT
