Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-151632

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (18:08:37):

I raise the issue of parking in Beverly Hills, particularly with regard to the brand new Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park that officially opened earlier this year. As many members would know, that issue has been a priority of mine for over 10 years, and I am incredibly pleased to see the car park finally completed and open for use. Anyone who lives or works in the St George area knows that one of the biggest challenges in our community is finding free, accessible parking. My office hears regularly from locals who drive around searching for a parking spot, only to give up, turn around and head home out of frustration. This is not just an inconvenience but a barrier to locals who wish to use the public transport network and support local small businesses. This is why I have worked tirelessly to provide more free and accessible parking, ensuring that local residents spend less time searching for a spot and more time commuting to work, shopping locally and enjoying the community.

Commuter car parking in my local area is an important issue for those who regularly commute from home to the city or out west. We need more people catching public transport to ensure that the number of cars on our roads is reduced, avoiding unnecessary and frustrating congestion on local roads. To achieve that, local residents need access to commuter car parking that is close to local train stations. This will allow them to drive to the station, park for the day, and come home to a safe and secure car spot. I am proud to say that, as part of the former Government, I helped to deliver a number of brand-new commuter car parks in my local area, including 100 new spaces at Oatley station, 200 spaces at the recently opened Beverly Hills Commuter Car park and 142 additional parking spots at Riverwood station—promises made, promises kept—providing a significant boost to local infrastructure and strengthening the Coalition's record of delivering the services my local community deserves.

The Beverly Hills car park features new lifts and stairwell access on each level, CCTV and lighting for enhanced security, and wayfinding signage to assist users get around. There are also provisions for electric vehicle charging points and a convenient walkway and staircase, providing direct access to Beverly Hills railway station. It is clear that this is a fantastic piece of local infrastructure that will support the local area for many generations to come as the population continues to grow. However, while both the Riverwood and Oatley commuter car parks are free to the public, the same cannot be said for Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park. Locals who wish to use the parking facilities at Beverly Hills but are not travelling on the Opal network are forced to pay fees of up to $30 during peak periods. Whilst rates are discounted outside peak periods and on weekends, this does little to encourage greater use of the car park for those wanting to visit some of the fantastic small businesses in Beverly Hills.

I want more people visiting those business in Beverly Hills and shopping and buying locally, which is why I have started a campaign calling on the Government to provide up to three hours of free parking for non‑commuters. This will ensure that local businesses continue to grow and thrive, while making it easy for commuters and shoppers alike to access the area. A strong local economy is dependent on the success of local businesses. At a time when they are already facing rising costs, we must ensure that local economies are given every opportunity to succeed, especially by providing accessible parking close to shops and restaurants. Introducing three hours of free parking would revitalise the Beverly Hills precinct, particularly at night and on weekends. The restaurants and parking infrastructure are already in place; the Government simply needs to come to the table.

I have written to the Minister for Transport about this issue, but my office is yet to receive a response. This is incredibly disappointing. The Minister's non-response makes it clear that the Government does not care about the needs of the community in Beverly Hills. This inaction is hurting local business. Already the cinemas in Beverly Hills have closed permanently. The Government must act now. I have launched a petition that I encourage all locals to sign to show their support for three hours of free parking at Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park. I will continue to fight for this change. I urge the Minister to step up and deliver the outcomes that my local residents deserve.