WHILE all the recent attention about car parking in the city has been on the Smarter Parking Plan, 405 free parking spaces for commuters became available on Sunday with little fanfare.<\/p>\n
The opening of the new multideck car park within the Ballarat Station precinct signalled the end of phase one of the site\u2019s $32 million redevelopment project.<\/p>\n
State member for Wendouree, Julian Addison, said the opening of the new spaces addressed a long-term need.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor decades parking at the train station has been neglected,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty random, you\u2019d turn up try and find a spot for your car, it was unstructured and very ad-hoc.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with the parking spaces the new structure includes CCTV and highly lit areas, as well as a majority undercover walkway to the station itself.<\/p>\n
Micheala Settle, member for Buninyong, was also happy phase one of the station precinct redevelopment was complete.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to not having to steal cap boots while I park my car in the future,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is a fantastic addition to Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the completion of the multilevel car park, construction now moves onto stage two, with the gravel car park on the northside of the goods sheds now closed.<\/p>\n
That will see the bluestone sheds turned into a conference and events centre as well as the construction of a serviced apartments, shops, restaurants, a bus interchange and open public space.<\/p>\n
Mr Addison said the whole project was much needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important milestone,\u201d she said. \u201cWe said to the community that we would deliver 405 car parks and that\u2019s what we\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat is the most beautiful city. We\u2019ve got our heritage buildings and this incredible train station, yet you come out and you see car parks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new plaza is going to transform the area. We\u2019re going to bring more people into the community through the convention centre and the hotel. It\u2019s going to be great for the economy and great for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHILE all the recent attention about car parking in the city has been on the Smarter Parking Plan, 405 free parking spaces for commuters became available on Sunday with little fanfare. The opening of the new multideck car park within the Ballarat Station precinct signalled the end of phase one of the site\u2019s $32 million […]<\/p>\n