Tara Murray
The ambience of Alfrieda Street in St Albans will be lost if centre road parking is removed, according to St Albans Business Association president Sebastian Agricola
The removal of the parking is proposed in the area’s draft master plan, designed by Brimbank council.
A petition was received by council, with 848 signatures objecting to the removal of the centre street car parking for the civic walk area proposed in the master plan.
Mr Agricola is one of the locals behind the petition. He said they had more than 1200 signatures, but many weren’t valid to submit to the council.
He said many traders, shoppers and residents were left shocked by the proposals.
“There’s about 300 businesses in the area and I’ve done the petition on behalf of them,” he said. “What they are planning is just inadequate in the area.
“They have two proposals which both include removing the centre road parking. No one told us this could be the case.”
Mr Agricola said traders weren’t against the overall masterplan, but said they felt like they weren’t included in the making of the plan.
Car parks will be built in Collins Street to replace the ones being removed. Mr Agricola said people don’t want to park in Collins Street.
“This will change the ambience for the area,” he said. “Alfrieda Street is buzzing at all times of day and night.
“This is what people have come to expect. We believe it will kill the ambience as people don’t want to park in Collins Street.”
Not everyone is against the removal of the carparks.
St Albans resident Jenny Isa said it’s a positive thing that there will be more green space and beautification of the area.
“The blueprint for the Alfrieda Street Masterplan has been years in the making.” she said.
“Look at how nice Hampshire Road, Sunshine has become, we want the same for Alfrieda Street, the masterplan needs to go ahead.”
Brimbank acting infrastructure and city services director Tom Razmovski council had extensive feedback from community and traders in response to the proposed changes to Alfrieda Street.
“This feedback is being reviewed and will be incorporated into the final draft master plan which is scheduled to be taken to council for consideration in June.
“The master plan focuses on increasing greening and maximising space for pedestrians and street trading, with no net loss of car parking in the Alfrieda Street precinct.”
