Newsflash: State Gov backflips on Carindale Park n Ride
Posted on Friday, 3 February, 2012
It’s taken 12 months of hard lobbying, but the State Government has finally caved into public pressure and agreed to build a park n ride near Westfield Carindale.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk received a letter from Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk this week advising she was willing to enter into discussions with Council so “Translink can establish a Park n Ride” at the shopping centre.
This is despite Ms Palaszczuk previously refusing to consider the site for a park n ride, claiming it contradicted Translink’s policy not to build park n rides within 10 kilometres of the CBD, or within 1 kilomtere of a major centre.
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner - who has led the charge as the local councillor for the last 12 months – said the Minister’s turn-around was a big win for the local community, as well as the Carindale commuters who were about to be forced to park in local streets when paid parking starts in March.
“The Minister’s decision comes on the eve of a State election, but I welcome the change of heart as a park n ride is the best way to stop commuters parking out local streets when paid parking is introduced.
“It took 12 months of hard campaigning and two petitions to get the State Government to see reason, but this is still a good outcome.
Last year Cr Schrinner submitted petitions to the State Government bearing 1650 signatures for a sealed carpark next to the Carindale shopping centre to be converted into a park n ride in light of the introduction of paid parking – a move that was rejected by the Minister citing Translink’s policy.
This is the site – located on the corner of Old Cleveland Rd and Creek Rd – the State now wishes to use for a park n ride.
“I just hope the State Government gets on with it now because commuter parking is urgently needed.”
Cr Schrinner confirmed that Brisbane City Council was fully supportive of the provision of a park n ride at Carindale and will happily assist the State Government in processing any approvals that are required.