It’s the $7.4 million carpark being snubbed by drivers.
Werribee’s new Cherry Street carpark is sitting largely unused a month after opening to the public, with more drivers opting to park along a neighbouring street and vacant block of land.
The carpark, which opened on August 15, includes 76 spaces for business parking permit holders and 31 spaces for the public to use for up to three hours.
When Star Weekly visited the carpark at midday last Wednesday, 10 cars were parked in the three-hour bays and one was parked in the permit section.
Meanwhile, 22 cars were parked along Kelly Street and 10 were parked on a vacant block across from the carpark on Jellicoe Street.
Similar numbers were recorded on Thursday and Friday.
Star Weekly asked residents on its Facebook page what was putting them off the new carpark, with many citing the three-hour time limits and distance from Watton Street.
Pattie said: “It’s too far, and I wouldn’t want to be a trader going all that way in the dark on a Friday night.”
Tiahnee said: “Three-hour parking is what is putting people off … it should be full-day parking to reduce the number of illegally parked cars at the [train] station.”
Wyndham council economy, innovation and liveability director Kate Roffey anticipates usage will increase significantly in coming weeks when the council issues parking permits specifically for the Cherry Street carpark.
“Currently, many business owners and employees are parking in spaces that would be better utilised by customers,” she said.
“By making this new carpark predominantly for parking permit holders, it will encourage business owners to park here, freeing up spaces in the city centre for their customers.
“The new carpark has been supported by the Wyndham Businesses and Tourism Association and the Werribee Landowners Group, who together with council have written to businesses in the area to encourage them to utilise it.”
