Maribyrnong council is examining ways to reduce future congestion and parking pressures in the Highpoint Major Activity Centre, with the area expected to accommodate an estimated 32,000 residents and 15,000 dwellings by 2041.
With a larger population living in the area and more visitors to businesses, including Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and Robert Barrett Reserve, council said more cars will be on the road and will lead to congestion and parking pressure.
To help manage the increased congestion in and around the Highpoint Major Activity Centre, council is commencing work on a Highpoint Parking Plan to guide future parking needs and demands that will meet the needs of residents and businesses.
Mayor Cuc Lam said council has started some thinking about how to address increasing traffic and demand for parking through an options and strategy report.
“Some initial ideas include encouraging the use of sustainable transport, supporting fair and equitable parking for all visitors to the Highpoint Major Activity Centre, and reducing the number of future parking spaces inside the activity centre to account for new residential, retail and commercial developments,” she said.
Cr Lam is calling on community members – including residents, businesses and developers – to see if council is on the right track.
“This is an initial discussion about future plans for parking in this area. No decisions have been made at this early stage and there is no impact or change to current parking in the Highpoint Major Activity Centre,” she said.
There are a number of strategies council thinks can help improve parking in the future, including – in some instances – the potential for time-restricted parking, as well as advocating to the state government for improvements to public transport, leveraging off the new tram depot and existing bus interchange facilities.
The introduction of paid parking is not being considered as part of this project.
Feedback will help inform a draft Highpoint Parking Plan, which will be shared for further community engagement.
You can join the conversation by midnight, Sunday, May 12.
Details: yourcityyourvoice.com.au/highpoint-parking
