Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has been asked to support attempts to solve Sunbury’s carparking crisis, with research showing close to half the vehicles parked in the train station’s long-term bays are registered to people from her electorate.
A study by geotechnical and environmental service experts Cardno, after the electrification of the Sunbury line in 2012, found more than 40 per cent of cars using the station carpark were from the Macedon Ranges.
Hume councillor Jack Medcraft said Ms Thomas had a duty to lobby for parking upgrades.
‘‘She can’t turn around and say it’s not my area,’’ Cr Medcraft said. ‘‘She’s responsible for the people in her area, many of whom are using the Metro service.
‘‘We would ask her to push the [transport] minister to make sure parking is improved.’’
As reported by Star Weekly, commuters, traders and employees are being urged to sign a new petition calling on the state government to act.
With spaces around Sunbury train station all taken by 7am on most days, commuters say the situation should not be allowed to continue, with a combination of population growth and the introduction of Metro services leading to an estimated shortfall of almost 700 spaces.
The town’s parking woes increased after a crackdown on overstayers at short-term bays at Sunbury Central shopping centre began in late April.
Ms Thomas did not respond by deadline.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull has previously said he would continue to lobby for more parking, pointing out the Andrews government recently announced $20 million for more than 1500 carparking spaces across Melbourne.
