A brand new, multi storey commuter carpark has been built across Campbelltown Station on Farrow Road.
It contains more than 800 car parking spaces – 508 multi-storey and 427 at grade – as well as 15 dedicated electric vehicle charging stations on the first level.
But months after completion it has yet to opens its gates to commuters.
While federal and state governments funded the $25 million project, the car park was built on Campbelltown Council land, which will be responsible for its operation and maintenance.
That includes what fees commuters will be charged, if any, to park their cars there.
At tomorrow night’s ordinary council meeting, councillors will make a decision on the fee question, which will pave the way for the opening of the commuter carpark.
They have been given three options to choose from, knowing that it will cost ratepayers an estimated $900,000 to run the car park every year.
“The car park is a multi-deck structure, which implies higher construction and ongoing maintenance costs compared to surface lots,’’ says the report to council for this meeting.
“Income from a user pay model would cover the costs associated with security and surveillance, cleaning and lighting, structural maintenance, administrative and operational staffing, commuter experience and engagement, and lifecycle costing,’’ says the report.
A flat fee of $7 for all users in an 18 hour zone, and $3 for the six hour zone is option one.
The second option is to charge the above fees but make it free for Campbelltown residents, noting that this would be a complicated approach to implement.
And the third and final option proposes free parking but an overstay fee.
The report says council officers have been finalizing negotiations with a specialist car park service provider in the last few weeks.
Once councillors choose a fee option tomorrow night, the next steps will be plan the transition and induction of the car park operator and implement the necessary infrastructure, and open the facility for public use.
However the report does not suggest an opening date for the carpark, which will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What happened to the tap on opal system that was supposedly going to be the way forward for commuters to use the car park?
What happened to the commuter car park which was free if you where using your opal card on the train, we have been mislead, all we have now is another money making operation for a private operator just like Campbelltown hospital we where not told we would lose the free commuter parking the chances of option 3 is not likely if council are already negotiating with a private operator.
Got me beat how it costs near a MILLION DOLLARS a year to maintain..unless they’re counting the EXORBITANT land rates and levy’s to it