No space … Greg Powick is stumped as to how to fix the parking problem in Williamstown. 65627 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Vanessa Chircop
WILLIAMSTOWN resident Greg Powick agrees that parking in Williamstown has become a big problem – but is stumped as to how it can be resolved.
“It’s a catch 22,” he said.
“We certainly need more parking – if you try and park at the back of Coles at certain times of the day you just can’t get a park there.”
Mr Powick said as much as he would like to see the problem resolved the solution for Williamstown should not be a concrete multi-storey parking building.
“I’m not sure what the answer is,” he said.
“The major concern is if people don’t stop there then they don’t buy something, then the local store owners lose business – which they can ill-afford to lose.”
Mr Powick who is the president of the Point Gellibrand Coastal Park said he was passionate about all things Williamstown.
“It’s like a big country town close to the city – that’s changed a little bit in the last few years,” he said.
“I don’t think we get the respect that we deserve from council.
“The problem we have is the council is very diverse in their history and architecture – Williamstown is unique and because it’s unique it should be treated accordingly.”
Mr Powick said this doesn’t mean other areas shouldn’t also be well-funded.
“It just means that Williamstown is historic and needs to be treated as a historic seaport not just another part of Hobsons Bay Council.”
Mr Powick said he was shocked to learn that the council didn’t take the opportunity to buy the land on Stevedore St in late 2009.
“That to me seemed like a no-brainer,” he said.
“It’s a good example of a council not understanding Williamstown.
“That would have solved problems for a few years perhaps.”
