By Bonny Burrows
Residential parking permits could be soon be introduced within Pakenham’s busiest precinct.
Under a recommendation in the council’s Draft Pakenham Parking Precinct Plan, parking priority would be given to those living within the town’s activity centre (AC) – the area taking in Main Street, the library and the railway station – to ensure residents aren’t left without parking spaces.
Residential permits are just one of initiatives proposed in the draft plan, now open for public feedback, aimed at helping the shire manage the town’s car parking needs.
The draft proposal states that while Pakenham has an “adequate supply of car parking at this point in time”, it was important the council be proactive in managing future demand.
“As the Pakenham AC develops, there is the potential for parking to intrude onto the streets of the surrounding residential areas,” the report reads.
To combat this, it suggest options such as executing time-limit parking for vehicles other than those displaying residential parking permits, or by implementing a permit zone for the exclusive use of these residents’ vehicles.
Traders and staff parking permits could also be considered “to prioritise long-term parking in the periphery off-street parking areas”.
The document also recommends a multi-storey car park, at an average cost of $35,000 per parking space, be developed in Pakenham in the near future to keep up with the town’s booming population.
“Given the quantum of public car parking required in the future to accommodate demand, it is expected a multi-storey facility will be required,” the plan states.
Along with the need for a multi-storey complex and a parking permit scheme, the report acknowledges community concerns that current car parking in the town’s activity centre is in need of an upgrade.
In particular, it recognises “the inconsistent approaches in the line-marking of car parking spaces”, insufficient drainage in some car parking spaces and a lack of adequate lighting in these public parking areas.
The document also highlights a greater need for more very short-term – less than one hour – parking options and improved cycling and pedestrian tracks to promote passive forms of transportation.
A comprehensive report, the Draft Pakenham Parking Precinct Plan must first undergo community consultation and then approval by councillors before any of the recommendations are carried out.
Once finalised, the plan will then be implemented into the Cardinia Planning Scheme through a parking overlay.
To learn more about the draft plan, ask questions and provide in-person feedback, residents can attend either of the two information sessions being held this month.
The sessions are on Wednesday 21 February from 10am-12pm at Pakenham Central Marketplace, 50-54 John Street, Pakenham, and on Friday 23 February 10am-12pm in the foyer of the Pakenham Place Shopping Centre, 67-79 Main Street, Pakenham.
The draft plan is also available for review, and feedback can be made via the submission form, available on council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/PCPstrategy.
Submissions close 5pm, Monday 5 March.
