Rail commuters who drive to Laverton station say there is chaos as a makeshift car park at a former school site has closed at the same time as new council parking restrictions come into force.
About 500 commuters had parked in the grounds of the former Laverton Primary School before the Education Department barred access at the request of Hobsons Bay council. On Monday last week, the council started putting warnings on illegally parked cars around Laverton station, and motorists will soon be fined for violations.
Sanctuary Lakes resident Nick Michaelides, who drives to the zone 1 station to catch a train to the city to work, said the parking situation was “a total shemozzle” with about “500 to 600 illegally parked cars” on the grass along the train tracks.
The council has erected bollards to stop people parking on the grassland and created permit-only zones for residents.
Hobsons Bay deputy mayor Colleen Gate said the council had argued strongly for the state government to address the parking issue.
“A permit trial for 45 spaces began on Monday to ensure our residents are not disadvantaged by commuters who come from outside the municipality.
“This will provide some relief for our residents, but we need assurances from state government that measures will be taken to distribute the parking burden across public transport corridors and reduce traffic congestion in Laverton.”
Laverton, Altona Meadows and Seabrook residents may apply for permits to use the 45 spaces. Jess Maguire, a spokeswoman for Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder, said Laverton station had about 950 spaces and also offered a drop-off zone, seven connecting bus routes and a secure Parkiteer bicycle cage for cyclists.
