Residents have raised concerns about illegal parking and a shortage of carparks at the Watergardens precinct.
Brimbank resident Neil Hunichen expressed safety concerns over motorists parking their cars on the grassland area between Watergardens Shopping Centre and the recently opened Watergardens Station car park.
He said the illegal parking posed a safety hazard, particularly during wet weather.
Mr Hunichen also raised concerns about motorists driving over kerbs along the road access between the shopping centre and Kings Road.
“This is resulting in further traffic congestion at Kings Road and Hume Drive,” he said.
A Watergardens spokesperson said fines would apply to those who park on the grassland area.
“Ample signage has been installed directing drivers to designated carparks,” the spokesperson said.
“These measures are designed to improve safety, maintain accessibility and manage demand as part of long-term traffic and parking management plans.”
The spokesperson also confirmed the gravel overflow carpark at 499a Melton Highway, Taylors Lakes was reopened on 5 February.
The gravel carpark was closed late last year after a new 485-space carpark at the southern end of Watergardens Shopping Centre was opened in September.
Even after the gravel overflow carpark reopened as a paid facility, Mr Hunichen said commuters continue to park illegally on the grassland.
Mr Hunichen and Brimbank resident Bruce Lancashire, a former town planner, believe the long-term solution is to create more carparks at the precinct.
They pointed to another Watergardens car park located on Sydenham Road, west of Watergardens station, suggesting it be developed into a multi-level facility with the adjacent land turned into a bitumen carpark.
At the November council meeting, Brimbank councillors heard that the area of open land was not suitable for car park development as it forms part of the former Mobil Oil site and is heavily contaminated.
Mr Lancashire said he believes the idea has been ruled out too quickly.
“As a civil engineer, areas settle over time, usually about 20 years,” he said.
“There’s absolutely no engineering reason why you couldn’t put in a bitumen carpark.”
He suggested car park expansions could be funded by the revenue generated from the gravel overflow carpark.
