Although “a strong supporter of Granville’s revitalisation”, he said Parramatta Council’s proposed Granville Town Square – which includes a large town square with trees and public seating in the area bounded by the train line, Parramatta Road, Bold Street and Duck Creek – will eliminate more than 70 car parking spaces on the north side of Granville station that services commuters and the hundreds of new apartments, creating traffic havoc.
The southern side of Granville train station is in Cumberland City Council area, while the north side is City of Parramatta.
“City of Parramatta have committed to investigate additional commuter parking spaces in the longer term, but that is not good enough,” Mayor Christou said.
“It falls well below community expectations and will create traffic and parking havoc in Granville.
“Drivers will be forced to circle the suburb looking for car parks, which will increase traffic congestion. We want to encourage locals to take public transport, but reducing commuter car parks will have the opposite effect.”
Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer says he understands the community is concerned about a potential loss of parking, however, the car spaces in the commuter carpark on Rowell Street will not be removed in the immediate future.
“The draft Granville Town Square Masterplan has always acknowledged that parking is important, and I would like to reassure everyone that not one car parking space will be lost from this car park in the short term. This is a long-term plan and the council is investigating alternative parking options as part of the Masterplan process.”
Fear commuter parking havoc
REDUCING car parking near Granville train station will spell disaster and frustration for commuters and locals alike, says Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou.
