Tenders open for commuter car park

(Carl Newton via Pexels)

Elsie Lange

Planning approval has been granted for a new multi-deck car park in Sunbury.

To be delivered by Hume council, the car park will be jointly funded with support from the state government’s Car Parks for Commuters Program, the Victorian Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution, the Australian Government’s Urban Congestion Fund and council.

Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the government was thrilled to announce the additional car parking residents had been calling for, “meeting the demands of the local community”.

“Whether you walk, ride or drive to Sunbury Station – these upgrades will make it easier for everyone catching the train,” Mr Bull said.

Hume council has now issued a request for tender, which means they are seeking bids from shortlisted construction contractors before works are set to begin in 2023.

The car park will provide 300 extra parking spaces for commuters, the expansion building on car parks currently available for commuters across the Sunbury Station precinct as demand continues to increase.

More than 200 spaces will be delivered for shoppers and traders across four levels, to be built in central Sunbury on the corner of Station Street and Evans Street.

Hume mayor Carly Moore said council was proud to be delivering the project.

“The car park will reduce congestion on our local roads and ensure the future needs of both commuters and shoppers are met,” Cr Moore said.

“There is significant demand for all-day parking near the Station and these extra spaces will allow more people to catch the train and get where they need to go.”

The multi-deck car park will include accessible parking for people with disability, improved lighting and better signage within the precinct.

Appearing in a video posted to Facebook by Mr Bull announcing the planning approval, Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said it was an “important milestone”.

“We’re one step closer, a giant step closer to delivering those important car parks for Sunbury commuters at Sunbury Train Station,” Mr Carroll said.