Carparking
What are your ideas and views on relocating carparking underground, or into new developments, while maintaining on street bays for opportunistic carparking adjacent to shop fronts and key destinations?
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Coburger Comment 1 24 Jun 2009, 12:11 PM
The current 'landscape' between Sydney Road and the train station is horrific - it's just row and after row of parking - what does this say about Coburg's sustainability? It's ugly and unsafe.
If we want to create a 'new' suburb which is genuinely sustainable and worth celebrating we need to tackle this - hiding the cars is one thing (and probably one thing really needed) but we're got to look at ways to promote alternative transport options.
coburgnetwork Comment 2 25 Jun 2009, 3:33 PM
I agree with the previous comment, but I also am aware that Coburg Traders are fiercely defending their precious carpark space. Traders need to become more flexible and less defensive about this issue. It is true that having centrally accessible car parking space improves shopping options for some in the area, BUT parking doesn't have to be a defining feature of central Coburg. Underground or rooftop parking would be one step to improving this. Increasing continuous green space between the train station and Sydney road would be a great imiprovement beyond this.
katie Comment 2.1 1 Jul 2009, 10:45 AM
I would recommend having a look at the experience on Lygon Street, near Lygon Court Shopping Piazza, where two car parks have been taken over and fitted with bicycle parking. The response has been extremely positive. More people can park, which means more people can access shops more readily. Perhaps in Coburg we could make the only on street parking for those with disabilities and prams and just have some really good signage and easy to find/access car parking buildings.. even free? Would that be possible?
bornincoburg Comment 3 5 Jul 2009, 4:59 PM
I agree that the carpark landscape is an ugly one but have you noticed that the majority of those parking and shopping are the older residents of Coburg? I think they feel safe coming to Coburg because it is 'open' and familiar and easy and spacious and they can actually park nearby. What do we say to these people? 'Opportunistic' (?) parking would not suit these drivers. I definitely don't want underground parking because I don't want more cars coming into the area and I don't want to lose that market feel the current ugliness allows. I also want older residents to keep shopping and walking and talking in Sydney Road. I want them to feel this is still the suburb they know and love. Anyway, underground parking also suggests something on top -more housing? Another Northland? No thankyou. Strip shopping is Coburg, is Sydney Road. Don't you dare change that!
I agree that the carpark landscape is an ugly one but have you noticed that the majority of those parking and shopping are the older residents of Coburg? I think they feel safe coming to Coburg because it is 'open' and familiar and easy and spacious and they can actually park nearby. What do we say
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coburgnetwork Comment 3.1 7 Jul 2009, 3:11 PM
'Something on top' ... I don't want a Northland either! What about more continuous green space between the train station and Victoria Mall which could be a multipurpose area including use as the proposed community market Also, where is the so-called proposed theatre/cinema/restaurants going to go unless it is put above/below additional parking. I do not particularly like underground or multi-level carparks myself, This is why I chose to ride my bike as often as possible. But for those who must drive it does contain parking and allow it to be more compact. Do you really think that having to fight for a spot in the parking area and then having to walk a block and a half to the market/shop is more desirable to any citizens, esp the elderly you mention, but also families with small children/prams, etc. In the summer it is so exposed and full of heat absorbing concrete and hard surfaces. Anything has got to be better than a square kilometer of densely parked cars. Limiting on-road parking to 10-30 minutes, except for some areas for disabled/elderly and pram parking and channelling remianing drivers into conveniently located parking garages would improve Coburg--it doesn't have to be ugly.
'Something on top' ... I don't want a Northland either! What about more continuous green space between the train station and Victoria Mall which could be a multipurpose area including use as the proposed community market Also, where is the so-called proposed theatre/cinema/restaurants going to go unless
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Angry of Coburg Comment 4 7 Jul 2009, 4:07 PM
The current situation of parking is a waste of valuable land. The car parks are really only full on weekdays after 3pm and on Saturdays. The rest of the time this land is lying idle. Underground the car parks and build on top of them and get rid of on-street parking on Sydney Road. And make people pay for parking as well!
Hazeyfantazey Comment 4.1 10 Jul 2009, 6:28 PM
The car park area is always busy and full.. whatever time of day you go... and I like the fact that it is free..Putting in Underground paid parking will only discourage people to drive into Coburg ..espcially the old people.. as dark closed parking is often dangerous crime wise! Even if you have CCTV cameras.. It does not discourage crime.. Popel wear hoods and dark clothing and can never be identified by Police unless you see their face.. or have an eye witness! I am from the UK originally.. I know these kind of car parks are always full of graffti and gangs hanging out and intimidating people...but what does it matter what i think.. the council will put in the car park for the money it will bring in..even if it is just young people using it. Why can't supermarket parking be free!..at least i get free parking when i go to Ikea! and I can shop there too! The car park in Coburg may be ugly.. but at least it is free! and out in the open! If you must put a car park in.. Don't go underground.. go above ground! much more daylight! and much safer
The car park area is always busy and full.. whatever time of day you go... and I like the fact that it is free..Putting in Underground paid parking will only discourage people to drive into Coburg ..espcially the old people.. as dark closed parking is often dangerous crime wise! Even if you have CCTV
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Zwicky Comment 4.2 11 Jul 2009, 10:35 AM
Are you kidding? The car parks are always full.
Keep the parking free! Otherwise people will just go to Northland to shop. I'd much rather shop in Coburg and I'm sure the traders there would prefer that too!
