By NICOLE VALICEK
HOBSONS Bay City Council will develop a structured plan to address the problem of car parking in Spotswood and provide a future framework for the area.
Last week, the council agreed on the need for an integrated and strategic approach via the preparation of a structured plan to address car parking issues in Hudsons Rd, Spotswood.
The council will refer $80,000 to the 2014-15 budget deliberations to commence preparation of the structure plan for the area.
At its meeting on 28 August 2012, the council received a petition containing 13 signatories in relation to parking and road conditions in Hudsons Rd, Spotswood.
The petition by the traders of Spotswood called on the council to conduct a parking strategy for Hudsons Rd including streets and to reseal the area of Hudsons Rd east of the railway line.
Councillor Peter Hemphill said parking in Spotswood was at a premium and the area was growing.
“We need to look at what we can do to help this vibrant area and it’s a measure of a success of the business that are attracting people, but it’s important (that the wider area is ) strengthened.”
Councillor Paul Morgan agreed that the area has increased in vibrancy.
“It’s important that we, as the council, set the stage to put appropriate building blocks in place so we can formally shape that area as it grows, as it develops and as the area becomes a much more vibrant and newer area again.”
“It will be great to see what we can get through that structure process and put together the building blocks to make that a great place.”
The council heard that on the car parking matter, council could not be considered in isolation.
According to the report, “the management of public car parking is critical to the economic and social wellbeing of an area such as Spotswood”.
“Effective management of car parking assets will ensure a balance between supply and demand of car parking.”
As a result, structure planning for Spotswood would develop a shared vision for the activity centre and identify the type and scope of change projected within the activity centre over time.
It will look at issues related to demographics, car parking, housing, business activity, open space, urban design and community infrastructure.
