By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council is set to overhaul parking in and around Werribee’s city centre under a new strategy.
Mayor Mia Shaw said the council had developed the new strategy, to be rolled out within the next 18 months, in consultation with businesses and residents.
The strategy includes building 467 new public parking spaces, plus an additional 904 private parking spaces specifically for new businesses and residences, at the Werribee ‘Catalyst’ development sites.
The Catalyst sites are the two ‘Riverbend’ carparks in Comben Drive, another site on Cherry Street adjacent to the railway line and a 12-storey hotel, office and retail ‘Gateway’ hub being built on the corner of Station Place and Princes Highway.
Under the strategy, the council will replace its all-day paid business parking permit system with free short-term parking for up to three hours, and a pay-per-use for longer-stay parking, within the Cherry Street, West End, Gateway, Riverbend Large and Wyndham Cultural Centre perimeter parking facilities.
The system will be introduced after the completion of the carpark within the Hunter Werribee development on the corner of Synnot Street and Duncans Road.
Free parking for workers, and some free two-hour parking, in a “City Fringe Precinct” within 500 metres of Watton Street and Synnot Street, will also be available.
This includes parts of Jellicoe Street, Kelly Street, Griffith Street, Salisbury Street, Dixon Avenue, Beamish Street, McDonald Street, Gibbons Street, Francis Street, Bolwell Street, Cottrell Street, Duncans Road, Church Street, Anderson Street, College Road, Wedge Street South, Watton Street, Deutgam Street, Pyke Street, Synnot Street, Greaves Street South and Princes Highway.
The strategy allows for a “City Core Precinct” for free parking, with a two-hour parking time limit. This area includes parts of Watton, Synnot, Bridge and Cherry streets.
There will also be the creation of six additional on-street parking spaces for people with disabilities in the Werribee CBD, increasing the total to 61.
