Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio and Yan Yean MP Danielle Green last week called on the council to fast-track approval of Public Transport Victoria’s (PTV) planning permit to build a gravel carpark on Westfield-owned land on the corner of McDonalds Road and Civic Drive.
“The council has been quite problematic. This has meant we’re now bang in the middle of winter and people have to traipse through the mud,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“We really need them to pull their finger out; there’s just been too much to-ing and fro-ing.”
Whittlesea mayor Ricky Kirkham shot back at the accusations, saying the council had, in fact, fast-tracked the planning application as a priority.
“We have turned the application around in a matter of weeks. This follows many months of the state government considering options at various locations.”
Cr Kirkham said providing rail commuters with adequate carparking was the state government’s responsibility.
“We have proactively worked with PTV on carparking options at South Morang for many months and have been waiting for PTV to determine a solution,” he said.
The planning application was lodged with the council on July 3.
Cr Kirkham said planning applications of this nature couldn’t be turned around overnight.
“The planning application to build a temporary carpark is as much about driver and pedestrian safety, both on Ferres Boulevard and McDonalds Road, as it is an engineering matter,” he said. “These are two very busy roads that require engineering and planning experts to carefully examine and evaluate the application.”
The permit application is due to be discussed at the council’s meeting tonight.
