Back from left, Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon, Judy Davis, Debbie Medley, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Edward O’Donohue, South EastMetropolitan MP Inga Peulich , Casey councillor Geoff Ablett, front, Chelsie Armitage, Fay Medley and Cassie Armitage are thrilled that works will now start on the Merinda Park railwaystation car park expansion. 71633
By Bridget Cook
CONSTRUCTION on the highly-anticipated Merinda Park railway station car park expansion has been given the green light.
Pakenham-based company R&C Asphalt was recently contracted by the State Government to carry out the extension works, which will include more than 350 new free parking spaces, complete with CCTV and lighting.
Last month, the News reported that the extension was announced and funded last year by the former Labor Government. When making the announcement, the former Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula set an end 2011 timeframe for completion of the works that were due to start at the begininng of the year.
In September, a Department of Transport spokesman said the department was continuing negotiations with a private landholder regarding access options for the extra car parking facilities planned, and were hopeful an outcome would be reached soon.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Edward O’Donohue inspected the site works on behalf of Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder on Friday.
He announced that the construction would now go ahead, and works on the car park extension were now expected to be completed in the first half of 2012.
Mr O’Donohue said the construction was a major upgrade to car parking that would improve public transport options for hundreds of commuters in the Cranbourne area.
“The addition of approximately 360 spaces will vastly expand the current capacity at the site,” Mr O’Donohue said.
South East Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said the upgrade was in recognition of the rapid growth in the Casey area and the resulting parking pressure at Merinda Park.
“The Coalition Government expects this car park extension to relieve pressure on the neighbouring Hallam and Cranbourne stations,” Ms Peulich said.
“This is a positive local project that will employ local knowledge and expertise.”
City of Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon, who has been a strong advocate for the car park extension, welcomed the news on Friday.
“I welcome the news from the State Government that the car park extension is commencing and look forward to hassle- free parking for those accessing the Merinda Park station in the near future,” she said.
“Residents have waited many years for this to occur, and I acknowledge the respectful yet persistent advocacy and representations that they have made to make this happen.”
VicTrack will manage the works on behalf of the Victorian Government.
