Car parking a key concern in battleground Victorian seat
The ABC visits the east Melbourne seat of Glen Waverley, where the Suburban Rail Loop, potholes and the cost of living are major issues two months out from polling day.
A tight race is shaping up in the Victorian electorate of Glen Waverley as voters grapple with a range of pressing concerns ahead of the November state election. The Labor-held seat is currently held by just 3.3 percentage points. Key issues include the proposed cancellation of a multi-storey car park, potholes and the cost of living.
Local traders warn that the loss of 400 car parking spaces during the construction of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will force customers to abandon family-run shopping strips for larger shopping centers. Without adequate parking, shoppers may choose to support larger businesses, hurting the local economy. The government has pledged to find alternative parking solutions, but local businesses are growing restless.
Craig Lane, a business owner in Glen Waverley for over 30 years, says traffic around his business is already bumper to bumper as motorists search for parking spots. Despite assurances from the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, the promised 500-space, multi-level car park has been scrapped. The government is working with local traders to identify a long-term parking solution once the SRL station opens in 2035.
Meanwhile, other issues like potholes, construction on local roads, and the rising cost of living are also weighing heavily on voters' minds.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
