Carparking to drive approvals

By Paul Dunlop
DEVELOPERS willing to expand carparking areas in Pakenham could get preference from Cardinia Shire Council.
Mayor Bill Ronald said council was responding to concerns about the number of carparking spaces in and around the central business district.
Residents and traders have long said there are too few parking spaces at peak times.
The mayor said council was mindful of community concern and flagged a more thorough look at carparking requirements when deciding development applications.
Cr Ronald said developers who agreed to stick to the minimum requirements would likely receive a more favourable response from council than applications requesting reductions.
Under state guidelines, developers in business areas must provide eight carparking spaces for every 100 square metres of office space.
Council has tended to relax those guidelines in recent years, allowing several new office and shop developments with reduced carparking arrangements.
Cr Ronald said the new council had a different view and was currently investigating options relating to future carparking arrangements in the town.
Cr Ronald said residents could expect council to take a much stronger stance on the provision of carparking under his leadership.
“It is a massive problem in the township and allowing new development with reduced car parking sends the wrong message to the community,” Cr Ronald said.