Farrow Road commuter park will be free over a trial 12 month period, Campbelltown Council has decided.
But it will be another eight to 12 weeks before it opens.
The controversial multi storey carpark opposite Campbelltown Station carpark, built with $25 million provided by the federal government in 2021, was the subject of a feisty debate at last night’s council meeting.
Young Labor Party councillor Isabella Wisniewska moved that council offer the carpark to all commuters for free for a trial period of 24 months.
This was later amended to 12 months.
Cr Wisniewska said the trial period would give council time to talk to the state government about taking over the running of the carpark on the basis of its park and ride model.
“We want to avoid the situation at the hospital multi storey car park where users have to pay,’’ Cr Wisniewska said.
“It’s fair that Campbelltown gets a park and ride commuter park like so many locations around Sydney,’’ she said, listing more a dozen of them.
The fly in the ointment was that even a 12 month trial period would cost ratepayers almost $1 million.
“That’s quite a hit for our community,’’ Cr Josh Cotter said.
“We get cuts to general services so we can pay for a commuter car park.’’
Further complicating the issue was the fact council had bedded its “balanced’’ budget for 2025-26 two weeks ago.
Council CEO Lindy Deitz was asked what the impact on the budget would be, and she confirmed that other council programs would have to be reduced in the next 12 months to pay for the operation of the Farrow Road car park.
Another factor weighing on the mind of the councillors was a report revealing that 70 percent of commuters who get the train at Campbelltown are either from Camden (mostly) or Wollondilly.
Independent councillor Adam Zahra wanted council to consider one of the other three options on the table, including one whereby Campbelltown commuters did not pay anything.
“This is not equitable for Campbelltown residents,’’ he said.
“I completely oppose this.’’
But he was on his own, as every other councillor supported, some reluctantly, the motion for a free trial period for all commuters when it was put to the vote.