Federal funds for car parks but not for the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail

To date, no federal funds have been allocated for building the much needed Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail - a strategic cycling corridor.

However, Josh Frydenberg, the federal member for Kooyong and treasurer, has allocated $65 million to deliver 2000 car spaces in multilevel car parks near railway stations including Glenferrie Rd, Canterbury, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Each car space would cost $32,500.

This allocation of funds, which has become known as Carpark Rorts, has been criticised by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) for not being effective or merit-based,

Many local residents oppose the car parks proposed for Wattle Valley Road Canterbury and Liddiard St Hawthorn for the following reasons:

Increased traffic congestion to and around the carparks - up to 800 additional cars per day - with increased pollution from carbon emissions
Reduced safety due to increased traffic in suburban streets
Limited parking spaces for locals - most spaces would be occupied all day
No provision in draft plans for bicycle parking - one car parking space can provide parking for ten bicycles
Use of council land some distance from the railway stations, instead of using existing railway station carparks

You can provide feedback to Boroondara Council (closing date 10 Feb) using these links:

Additional car parking spaces near Glenferrie Station, Engage Boroondara
Additional car parking spaces near Canterbury Station, Engage Boroondara

The $65 million would be much better spent building the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail strategic cycling corridor that will provide safe, car-free, climate friendly transport though Canterbury and Glenferrie.