Hannah Hammoud
This story was originally published in May 2024 and Star Weekly has chosen to share it again for readers to enjoy.
Glengala Village business owners are calling on Brimbank council to rethink proposed streetscape changes, as they voice concerns over a lack of parking spaces.
Glengala fresh owner Wayne Gifford said the the options in council’s ‘Glengala Village streetscape improvements will result in a loss of parking spaces.
“It is constantly mentioned everyday by customers about how difficult it already is to park. There’s just not enough spaces,” he said.
“In real terms it will mean there are less spaces. People already tell us that if there’s no space to park, then they won’t bother parking in side streets; they’ll just go somewhere else.
“A lot of the people who shop here are elderly, and they need convenience.”
Mr Gifford said fellow traders have asked him and his wife Dea to speak up on behalf of them due to language barriers. He said some traders were completely unaware these changes were even being discussed.
“Many of the business owners are not very confident in English and there’s been a couple of them that have come to us and locals that have said ‘please be our voice’. Quite a few of them had no idea it was happening – even though it is going to impact them,” he said.
“Everyone is trying to hustle, things are so tight at the moment. People are struggling to eat and pay their bills, this is not the right time.
“The plans for the streetscape changes are dated. Council spoke to people in the area about this in 2018. Since then, six of the owners have changed hands. A lot has happened since then including the pandemic, the world is a different place now. After the pandemic everything is now about convenience,” he said.
Mr Gifford said council needed to reassess the way it is seeking to create more open space.
“They want to widen the footpaths which seems like to me will result in limited spaces. What good is it if people can fit, but can’t park? They just won’t come,” he said.
Brimbank council infrastructure and city services acting director Tom Razmovski said council is aware of the concerns of some of the traders and recently gathered feedback on the draft designs from people in Glengala Village.
“The design options for improvements to Glengala Village currently under consideration either have the same number of carparks with some relocated close by, or a total reduction of two carparks,” Mr Razmovski said.
“We know that we need to have a car parking allocation for people who need to and want to drive to the shop, but people also walk and cycle to the shops. The designs reflect community needs for wider footpaths, improved pedestrian safety and reduced traffic speeds. Community have told us they want outdoor dining and our job is to strike a balance between all these needs.”
Council said it plans to begin the upgrade works during 2026-27, with design and timing subject to service authority approval and council budget.
Mr Gifford said a physical petition with roughly 250 signatures in opposition to the Glengala Village streetscape options has been given to council.
