Eleven months out from the state election, NSW Labor leader Luke Foley has promised to build an $18 million multi-storey commuter carpark at Edmondson Park train station.
While the local community has embraced public transport for the commute options to major employment centres in the CBD, Parramatta and North Sydney, the current carpark has inadequate spaces and is often full by the morning peak.
Other drivers are then left to suffer the daily headache of finding a legal park near the station, with some risking adding the cost of a parking fine to their travel.
Then there are the commuters who simply cannot walk the considerable distance from surrounding streets if they miss out on an early park.
Mr Foley said the Liberal Government doesn’t consider the bugbears commuters face day to day, but NSW Labor does, which is why the commitment of a multi-storey carpark will help to cater for future growth of the rapidly developing area.
Today’s announcement comes after months of campaigning by the local community, due to the inaction of the NSW Government despite them being aware of the issue for the past two years.
State and Federal MPs Anoulack Chanthivong and Anne Stanley along with Labor candidate Charishma Kaliyanda have long been advocating for an urgent upgrade of the Edmondson Park commuter car park, launching petitions calling for immediate action.
Mr Foley has now pledged to take a commitment for a new commuter carpark to the election next March.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I am fully committed to giving Edmondson Park an $18 million dollar, multi-storey commuter car park to help ease the headache for those just trying to get from A to B.[/social_quote]
“Carparks shouldn’t be a battle ground for people who just want to get to work on time,’’ he said.
Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong said commuters are “rightly frustrated and angry at the Liberal Government’s appalling inaction over the commuter car parking crisis at Edmondson Park’’.
“The situation has become so dire and so urgent that today’s announcement by NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley is a real game changer for the people of Edmondson Park and South West Sydney.
“It demonstrates Labor’s commitment to giving our community the fair go it deserves.”
Labor candidate for Holsworthy Charishma Kaliyanda said residents in our community “deserve the infrastructure they need to get to work without risking parking fines or worse.
“This is one of the biggest concerns for residents in our community and the problem has gotten out of hand as the Berejiklian Government has neglected to prioritise the infrastructure that’s necessary in growing suburbs.”
Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley said local commuters have been “at their wits’ end over the lack of parking at Edmondson Park and today, finally, a firm commitment for the hundreds of people who are simply trying to get to and from work each day’’.
“Labor understands the needs of hard working families in South West Sydney, just as it understands the urgent need for improved commuter car parking and improved infrastructure, particularly in our growth suburbs.”
Full credit to Anoulack Chanthivong for highlighting the problem with Carparking at Edmondson Park station. It was because of an article about the Carparking Crisis that got me to start this Petition which was signed by 5500 residents and Commuters that then played a role in the decision of Luke Foley to commit $18 million to building a Multi Level Carpark.