Glen Eira Mayor Cr Margaret Esakoff said the car parks were an important part of the long-term plan to create a network of vibrant activity centres.

“As Bentleigh and Elsternwick continue to grow, we’re providing more parking to support local businesses and shoppers, make it easier for people to access public transport and reduce parking pressure on surrounding streets,” she said.

“Consolidating parking at these sites also means we can free up other land to create precious public open space, like beside the proposed new Elsternwick Hub and at Bentleigh Plaza.”

The $38 million project has been expedited with an $18.1 million contribution from the Australian Government’s Urban Congestion Fund.

Local Member for Goldstein Tim Wilson MP said the additional commuter parking will help make catching the train easier and more accessible for locals.

“The Morrison Government provided this funding to Council for local game-changing infrastructure to support Glen Eira commuters to get home earlier and faster,” he said.

The car parks are in the final stages of concept design and subject to approvals, will be completed in 2022.

The Bentleigh site will include five levels of parking, equivalent to four storeys in height. All existing 157 car parks will be retained and more than 50 short-term, and 130 all-day spaces added.

In Elsternwick the Stanley Street East site will include six levels of parking, equivalent to five storeys in height. All existing 126 car parks will be retained and approximately 240 short-term and more than 130 all-day spaces added.

Parking at both sites will remain free of charge and will include:

• prioritised spaces for seniors, people with prams, and people with a disability;
• electric vehicle charge stations, bicycle and motorcycle parking; and
• solar panelling, sensor lighting, green walls and smart car parking management systems so users can efficiently locate empty spaces.

Cr Esakoff said this was a wonderful opportunity to increase parking while also progressing the community vision in the structure plans for both centres.

“The substantial Federal Government funding has allowed us to bring forward these two priority projects, meaning that future rate-revenue can be spent on other important community projects,” she said.

The formal planning approval process is expected to start late-2020, when the community will be invited to provide feedback on the proposed developments.
For further information, visit our More parking and open public space in Bentleigh and Elsternwick page.