By Laura Michell
Finding a parking space near Epping station is about to get easier after Whittlesea council approved construction of a new carpark 100 metres from the station.
The carpark, which will be built on the Wedge and Campbell streets road reserves, was given the greenlight by administrator Lydia Wilson earlier this month.
The carpark will provide an additional 64 commuter parking spaces and is part of a state government plan to boost parking around train stations across Victoria.
The council’s partnerships, planning and engagements director, Julian Edwards said the carpark would improve access to the station and reduce congestion around the station precinct.
A report to the April 7 council meeting said the carpark would be within the Epping Central Metropolitan Activity Centre and would contribute to the area’s development as a public transport hub,
“The proposal seeks to provide an appropriate level of car parking for users of the station and to further facilitate the use of public transport for longer distance trips,” the report stated.
“The project will provide additional parking capacity in Melbourne’s northern suburbs whilst encouraging higher rail patronage and reducing on-street parking demand near the station.”
Mr Edwards said the council received two objections to the proposal, which raised concerns about safety, an increase in crime in the area, the decline of property values and a reduction in green space.
