A National Park and Ride Fund would ease the pressure on local commuter carparks, says Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong.
The plan would deliver grant funding to local communities – via state and local governments – to construct new carparks and expand existing ones in high-growth areas with demonstrated need.
Mr Chanthivong has now written to opposition leader Bill Shorten to express support for the plan and to ensure some of the funding is directed towards commuter parking at stations like Edmondson Park.
Mr Shorten announced during the party’s annual conference that a Labor Government would establish a $300 million Park and Ride Fund for new and expanded car parks at public transport hubs, such as train stations.
“This is a clear sign that Labor backs public transport and backs a fair go for commuters,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“Residents are increasingly frustrated at the chronic lack of commuter carparking across my electorate.
“It’s not good enough that people have to park kilometres from their train station or are forced to drive to work instead.
“The situation has become so dire at Edmondson Park Station that commuters unfairly risk infringement notices just to get to their train on time.”
Mr Chanthivong said the situation was only set to worsen following the release of the State Liberal Government’s precinct plans, which will unleash “high-rise monstrosities’’ around every train station from Glenfield to Macarthur.
“Our commuter carparks are at crisis point, which is why urgent action is needed,” Mr Chanthivong wrote in his letter to Mr Shorten.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Like many communities across Western Sydney, my electorate is tired of bearing the brunt of rapid population growth and the subsequent failure of successive State and Federal Liberal Governments to properly invest in local infrastructure.[/social_quote]
“I would, therefore, request that a portion of this funding be reserved for commuter carparks in my electorate to expand existing facilities.”
Mr Chanthivong has long advocated for more commuter carparking in his electorate and in April welcomed NSW Labor’s policy to commit $18 million dollars to a deliver a multi-storey commuter carpark at Edmondson Park Station.
“Labor recognises the needs of hard working people in our community and I’m proud to continue the fight for improved commuter carparking in my electorate,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“The $300 million Park and Ride Fund announcement by Labor is a real win for commuters and I look forward to working with the Shorten Labor team to deliver for the Macquarie Fields electorate and South West Sydney.”
