Parking limits introduced along Melville Park Drive, Berwick this month are annoying commuters.By Danielle Kutchel
BERWICK commuters recently copped a shock to their parking routines after limits were established along Melville Park Drive.
On 6 August, Casey Council began placing several signs along the street, limiting parking in signed areas to three hours. Drivers who overstay the limit face fines of around $80.
The street, which runs alongside overcrowded Berwick Station, is often used by commuters who are unable to find parking spaces inside the station.
While a portion of the Drive outside a retirement village and a nursing home has always been limited to two-hour parking, these limits have now been extended to cover more of the street, further restricting parking options for train travellers.
The time limit on parking makes it difficult for commuters to find a spot. This has resulted in queues of parked cars trailing back along the unrestricted areas of the street to the intersection with John Fisher Drive, more than 800 metres from the station.
University student Hannah Bragge, who catches the train regularly, said the new signs were frustrating as the station carpark was usually full by the time she arrived.
“It’s annoying that there is not enough parking. There is about a third of what there used to be now,” she said.
“If I get here later, I can’t park here. I’ve had to go to Beaconsfield (station) and try and park there. But that gets quite full as well.”
“I park up side streets and in front of people’s nature strips. I don’t really feel I should be parking there, but that is the only other option,” Miss Bragge said.
“I suppose they’ve done it because the residents have complained about where commuters are parking, but we really have no other option if we drive.”
She added that she felt concerned for her safety and that of her car, as there was no CCTV along Melville Park Drive.
But residents have welcomed the move, saying it would stop people from parking all day outside their houses.
One resident, Elizabeth McKay, lives opposite the station and is glad commuters will no longer be able to block her driveway.
“You get hundreds of cars here, parking nose to tail across driveways,” she said.
“When they cover my driveway, it is a bit inconvenient. So I’m glad they put up signs.”
“But it is unfair, because people are encouraged to take the train, but then have nowhere to park,” Ms McKay said.
“What the answer is, I don’t know. A multi-storey carpark? Shuttle buses to the station?”
Michael Hawkins, whose property backs on to the station itself, says the limits are a good move but the council still has work to do to improve the situation.
Mr Hawkins said he has often had to park further down the street where the time limits do not apply and walk back to his own house.
“You need parking for residents as well,” he said, “We are also subject to the limits.”
City of Casey transport manager Paul Hamilton said the new parking limits were part of a plan to meet the needs of commuters and residents of Melville Park Drive.
“(The changes) will better balance the needs of commuters with those of residents living in nearby streets,” Mr Hamilton said.
“The parking controls will provide a mix of long and short term on-street parking to ensure that residents can safely access their properties and visitors to the area can also find parking, while also still allowing for commuter parking,” he said.
“Further modifications to the signage have been identified which are expected to be undertaken over the next week.”
“Council is continuing its advocacy to the State Government for funding commitments to improve Casey’s rail infrastructure, including increased provision of car parking at stations,” he said.
