Space invaders

By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM’S parking arrangements are about to undergo a major shake-up, as the construction of a highly anticipated $80 million retail complex draws near.
The Cardinia Shire Council yesterday (Tuesday) announced additional off-street public car parking options for traders and shoppers in preparation for the closure of the 288-space bay behind Treloar Lane.
A parking bay on the corner of John and Henry Streets will boast 35 spaces, another behind the Pakenham Arcade will provide an additional 25, while the council is also encouraging shoppers to utilise 70 spaces near the Pakenham Hall.
This comes a month after 150 spots were opened up near Cook Drive.
Meanwhile, the council is still trying to buy land at the old police station in James Street and has set aside $600,000 to construct car parking there – but it is still unclear when this will eventuate.
Traders have welcomed the latest parking additions, but some have concerns about the bays located further away from the Main Street.
Pakenham Business Group president Michael Porter said it was a decent outcome, considering the four parking areas provided a total of 280 spaces – just eight less than the Treloar Lane car park.
“It’s a reasonably good result, and yes we all have to walk that little bit further, but at least they’re there,” he said.
Pakenham Sportspower owner Richard Fromhold was concerned that people might not want to walk all the way to PB Ronald Reserve, particularly during the colder months.
“People aren’t going to walk that far … but at the end of the day it does give them somewhere to park,” he said.
Toy Kingdom owner Rod Ferguson was also concerned about parking at PB Ronald Reserve, but was pleased by the extra spaces on the corner of Henry and John streets.
“At least a couple of times a week there are functions at the hall … where do people who use the hall park?”
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the council was aware that the provision of car parking had been a major concern for traders.
“Council is in the process of securing further car parking sites and will provide updates as these become available,” he said.
Cr Pearson also assured traders that construction workers would not snap up parks in the CBD.
“All vehicles belonging to workers on the construction site will be parked away from public car parking areas,” he said.
Cr Pearson said preparations for work at the site of the retail precinct were expected to begin about 12 October. The Treloar Lane parking area will be closed shortly after.
Cr Pearson said time restrictions would apply in some of the new parking areas and that parking in Treloar Lane itself was expected to be available after 5pm.
The retail precinct, expected to generate 700 jobs, will feature a Woolworths supermarket, Big W department store, food court and specialty shops.
When complete, the complex will go a long way to solving the town’s parking problems with 1150 car parks, including about 875 underground.