A property developer with major business interests in Sunbury stands ready to proceed with plans for a multi-level carpark in Sunbury’s Evans Street.
With frustration about a lack of parking spaces in central Sunbury continuing to mount, Ingram Property Group’s Glenn Ingram told Star Weekly he was prepared to resurrect a detailed proposal for a project outside Harris Scarfe, next to Sunbury train station, provided Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Hume council came to the party.
‘‘Doing nothing is no longer an option,’’ he said.
Plans for a multi-level carpark were abandoned in 2010 despite extensive talks between Mr Ingram and the council.
Mr Ingram said a combination of population growth and the 2012 electrification of the Sunbury train line meant the town already faced a shortfall of up to 700 spaces.
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‘‘To me, it’s quite logical,’’ he said. ‘‘It can be fixed. The plans are there. It just needs the support of all parties.’’
Mr Ingram did not agree with calls to simply increase the number of bus services, saying the ‘‘tidal flow’’ of commuters in the morning and evening peaks came from far and wide.
Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne recently said parking and traffic congestion were posing huge problems for shoppers and businesses.
‘‘We continue to hear people saying that if it’s going to take 20 minutes to drive down Vineyard Road and get a park at the shops, they’ll just keep going to Watergardens.’’
A study has found that up to 40 per cent of cars parked at Sunbury station come from the Macedon Ranges.
Council city governance and information director Daryl Whitfort said the previous plan was abandoned because financial arrangements were not suitable for all stakeholders.
‘‘Hume would support another proposal if it was viable to all parties,’’ he said.
A PTV spokesman said its predecessor, the former Department of Transport, was not a party to the negotiations.
With no additional government-owned land in the town centre, he said, the only viable development parcel was the Harris Scarfe site.
‘‘PTV has indicated to council its support for any plans that will increase car parking in the area.’’
