HUNDREDS of train commuters flocking to the first zone-one station on the Werribee line have turned a closed school into a makeshift car park, to the ire of Laverton residents.
Andrew Wilson, who lives near the former Laverton Primary School, said train commuters had taken over the school ground which was now attracting car thieves and vandals.
“We’ve had a lot of cars broken into over there and a lot of undesirables there,” he said.
“I’m worried about the traffic congestion and people speeding in the street and the crime rate. People are coming to Laverton station to get out of paying the zone two [ticket price]. Most come from the new suburbs in Point Cook. The Education Department doesn’t want to admit it’s their responsibility to do something about closing the school so people can’t park there.”
Mr Wilson said on one occasion a car was turned on to its roof and its windows were smashed.
Train passengers living in Wyndham can save more than $24.20 a week in fares by travelling to Laverton, which is the first zone-one station on the Werribee line.
Asked if the state government had plans to increase parking at Laverton station, Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said passengers could catch a bus or ride a bike and “make use of the two secure Parkiteer bicycle cages that have space for 48 bicycles”. “Passengers who live near Point Cook may also consider driving to Williams Landing where we’ve recently added more than 500 new commuter car parking spaces.”
Data from 2011-12 shows that about 5700 people use Laverton station on a weekday.
Hobsons Bay council last year sought Wyndham council’s support to lobby the government for a multi-deck car park at Laverton and for Aircraft, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee stations to be changed to zone one.
Up to 1000 residents of Williams Landing, living between Hoppers Crossing and Aircraft stations, are expected to catch the Werribee line train.
Point Cook Action Group president Nick Michaelides said he drove to Laverton each morning because he struggled to find a car park at Wyndham station. “At Laverton, there are at least 500 illegally parked cars around the station on the grass on both sides, and in the winter it turns into a complete quagmire.”
Education Department spokesman Simon Craig said a meeting would be held to resolve the issue of illegal parking on the former Laverton Primary School site, which has been earmarked for development of Laverton’s new fire station. “The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and metropolitan fire board, which has purchased part of the former Laverton Primary School site, are meeting soon to discuss ongoing issues relating to the illegal use of the site and rubbish dumping,” Mr Craig said.
