After stirring the pot in state and federal elections held a few weeks apart earlier this year, commuter car park campaigner Michael Andjelkovic must have thought his work here was done.
Nothing could be further from the truth, though, despite election promises of funding for commuter car parking at the stations along the south west rail line from both major political parties.
And it’s not just the lack of strategy from the re-elected governments in Macquarie Street and Canberra that’s the problem.
“I am starting a community campaign and want to make Edmondson Park residents aware that urgent action is required,’’ he says.
The problem, as he sees it, has been caused by plans to increase the housing density at giant new suburb Ed Square, and at the same time, reduce the car parking available for the residents.
Mr Andjelkovic says assuming people don’t drive or need cars to get around in the outer South West Sydney region is plain wrong.
“A motor vehicle is a necessity around here,’’ he says.
He is also concerned the State Government has not developed a strategy to address the ongoing commuter car parking crisis at Edmondson Park train station.
This lack of government strategy, coupled with proposed changes for reduced parking for residents of Ed Square will result in residents being forced to park their cars on the street and in the commuter car parks, causing additional strain for commuters.
“The Department of Planning assumes that reducing car parking space for residents will provide the opportunity for reduced car dependency,’’ says Mr Andjelkovic, pictured during the state election in March.
“However, if commuters cannot park in the limited commuter car spaces to then use public transport because residents have parked there, then commuters will be forced to drive to other stations or worse, drive to work.
“The State Government needs to put in place more effective public transport infrastructure such as bus routes to the station for the Edmondson Park and surrounding communities if it wants to take reduced car dependency seriously and try and force citizens off the roads and out of the commuter car parks.’’
NSW Department of Planning will be holding a meeting to hear from the community about the proposed modification to reduce the amount of resident parking for the Edmondson Park Town Centre South and he is encouraging other residents to either attend or make a submission.
The meeting will start at 9:30am next Monday, September 23 at Liverpool Library.
Mr Andjelkovic says he will be making a submission opposing the modification.
If you wish to speak, you need to apply by close of business on September 19 via email: ipcn@ipcn.nsw.gov.au
If you don’t wish to speak or can’t make it, but still would like to have your say, you can do so via this have your say link.
