By Rowan Forster
Cardinia Station will soon boast one of south east Melbourne’s biggest railway car parks, with Vic Track set to install an additional 300 spaces at the bustling precinct.
It comes as Cardinia Shire Council continues to fiercely advocate for the State Government and the Opposition to invest in parking infrastructure across the region’s growth suburbs.
The latest addition will bring the total parking spaces at Cardinia Station to 750.
Councillor Brett Owen described it as a fantastic announcement, but stressed the need for further parking facilities across the region.
“This is great news, but obviously we’ve still got some real issues at other railway stations,” he said.
“In the lead up to this year’s election we really need a commitment from both sides.
“This is becoming a huge issue for residents and we’re campaigning on their behalf to address this.”
Despite having 450 nearby spaces, Cardinia Station is reportedly sent into a daily overflow, with commuters pouring into residential streets and Lakeside Square’s car park.
Last month, Star News revealed Lakeside Square managers were forced to implement a three-hour parking restriction on the shopping centre’s private bays to stop train passengers from filling the lot.
Worker Wayne Schembri said it was almost impossible for those undertaking construction on Cardinia Railway Station’s new signalling infrastructure to get a parking spot before 7am.
The Cardinia Road Station area has almost twice as many parking spaces as Pakenham Station.
In a self-fulfilling prophecy, commuters are opting to board at the newer, cleaner Cardinia Road Station, dragging parking pains from Pakenham Station along with them.
It comes after Gembrook MP Brad Battin and the Guy Government pledged to build over 100 new spaces at Beaconsfield Railway Station, if elected in November.
Mr Battin said the Liberals would also build 300 spaces at Cardinia Road.
“A lot of people use this station – it will be the busiest one in the area in the future,” he said.
“These new car spaces will ensure that commuters in the south east growth corridor are able to get to and from work with more ease and back home with their families sooner.”
The spaces have been rumoured for development on the city-bound side of the station, next to Lakeside Square.
Vic Track will hold a consultation session with residents and commuters in October.
An exact date has not yet been established.
