A large number of commuters from Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Murrindindi and Yarra Ranges travel to the Hurstbridge rail head daily for their commute to the City and inner suburbs.
Liberal politicians Cindy Mc-Leish and Wendy Lovell are keep-ing the pressure on the Andrews Labor State Government to provide adequte car parking at the terminus,
after Public Transport Victoria closed-off makeshift parking facilities on the rail reserve.
In a letter to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, Ms McLeish said commuters were being forced to find alternative parking in the town or to stop using public transport altogether.
“Commuters have found the reserve to be an appropriate and convenient place to park given the lack of more suitable facilities.”
“The recent decision to close off the reserve is causing great inconvenience to commuters, especially my constituents who drive in from the outer reaches of the Nillumbik Shire including the towns of St Andrews, Panton Hill, Smiths Gully, Cottles Bridge and Arthurs Creek.”
“As a short term measure, I request that you allow commuters to park their cars on the reserve and to provide solutions to any challenges caused by this.”
“I appreciate this may be complex matter, but I encourage you to provide an immediate solution to ensure my constituents are able to continue using the public transport network,” Ms McLeish said.
The calls follow those made by Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, who raised the issue in the Victorian Parliament last month.
“The minister only needs to check Google Maps, which shows the Hurstbridge railway station car park full and another 48 vehicles parked on the rail reserve, to see the need for additional parking,” Ms Lovell said.

Photo: courtesy www.mm.com.au