‘Absolute disgrace’: Car park design in local shopping centre puzzles residents
- Replies 13
The residents of southwest Sydney are scratching their heads over a baffling car park design failure at their local shopping centre, Mt Annan Marketplace.
The recent reconfiguration of the outdoor parking area has resulted in a significant reduction in available parking spaces, leaving locals frustrated and confused.
Anthony Bugge, a resident, expressed his dismay by highlighting the 'design flaw of wasted space'.
The new layout has rendered two rows of car spaces inaccessible, blocked by other parking spots and wheel stops.
'We've lost approximately 50 to 60 car spaces,' Bugge lamented.
'It's a very busy centre. It services Narellan Vale, Mount Annan Cascades, Currans Hill and parts of Spring Farm.'
‘They have not only removed parking spaces. I understand they are now building a fast food building in the middle of the car park that's currently closed.’
The changes are part of a new development approved by Camden Council, including constructing a drive-thru Guzman Y Gomez in the marketplace car park.
The development applications submitted by Hamptons Property Services also proposed reconfiguring the current car park. However, the resulting layout has left shoppers puzzled and frustrated.
The new design includes additional small car spaces and a designated staff car park. The fast food outlet will feature two drive-thru lanes and 14 car spaces.
However, the loss of parking spaces has sparked outrage among locals, with many questioning why the new outlet couldn't have been built on a vacant lot of land nearby.
'It’s an absolute disgrace!' one person commented on a post about the issue on social media.
'All the much-needed car spaces gone!'
‘And why would they put the new fast food joint in the car park when there is space right next to KFC? We lose 50 spaces.’
Another local added, 'We need more car spaces, not less.'
The parking situation at Mt Annan Marketplace was already contentious before the changes.
'I actually avoid coming to these shops because the parking is a nightmare. It was poorly designed BEFORE they changed it. Now it’s even worse,' a local shared.
The community has also raised concerns about a lack of disability parking spaces and the introduction of ticketed parking.
The reduction of entry and exit points from five to two in the initial stages of the proposed redevelopment has also been a point of contention.
Despite the community's concerns, Camden Council maintains that the approved $1.24 million development plan will provide adequate parking for customers and a 'more efficient' layout.
'The approved alterations to the Mount Annan Marketplace car park allow for the provision of 362 car parking spaces, including eight disabled spaces, which exceeds the level of car parking required under the relevant planning guidelines,' a Camden Council spokesperson said.
‘The approved works include the rationalisation of the entry and exit points, the creation of a more efficient car park layout and the installation of a plate recognition and boom gate system to ensure the car park is used for its intended purpose.’
The council did not respond to questions about the parking spots.
In a previous story, a shopping centre in Tasmania also rolled out a car park feature sparked a debate among Aussie drivers.
The innovative feature, which involves double-lined parking bays, has been hailed as 'genius' by some, while others have slammed it as an unnecessary complication. You can read more about it here.
Have you experienced a similar situation in your area? Let us know in the comments below!
The recent reconfiguration of the outdoor parking area has resulted in a significant reduction in available parking spaces, leaving locals frustrated and confused.
Anthony Bugge, a resident, expressed his dismay by highlighting the 'design flaw of wasted space'.
The new layout has rendered two rows of car spaces inaccessible, blocked by other parking spots and wheel stops.
A shopping centre’s car park design puzzled and outraged residents. Credit: Facebook
'We've lost approximately 50 to 60 car spaces,' Bugge lamented.
'It's a very busy centre. It services Narellan Vale, Mount Annan Cascades, Currans Hill and parts of Spring Farm.'
‘They have not only removed parking spaces. I understand they are now building a fast food building in the middle of the car park that's currently closed.’
The changes are part of a new development approved by Camden Council, including constructing a drive-thru Guzman Y Gomez in the marketplace car park.
The development applications submitted by Hamptons Property Services also proposed reconfiguring the current car park. However, the resulting layout has left shoppers puzzled and frustrated.
The new design includes additional small car spaces and a designated staff car park. The fast food outlet will feature two drive-thru lanes and 14 car spaces.
However, the loss of parking spaces has sparked outrage among locals, with many questioning why the new outlet couldn't have been built on a vacant lot of land nearby.
'It’s an absolute disgrace!' one person commented on a post about the issue on social media.
'All the much-needed car spaces gone!'
‘And why would they put the new fast food joint in the car park when there is space right next to KFC? We lose 50 spaces.’
Another local added, 'We need more car spaces, not less.'
The parking situation at Mt Annan Marketplace was already contentious before the changes.
'I actually avoid coming to these shops because the parking is a nightmare. It was poorly designed BEFORE they changed it. Now it’s even worse,' a local shared.
The community has also raised concerns about a lack of disability parking spaces and the introduction of ticketed parking.
The reduction of entry and exit points from five to two in the initial stages of the proposed redevelopment has also been a point of contention.
Despite the community's concerns, Camden Council maintains that the approved $1.24 million development plan will provide adequate parking for customers and a 'more efficient' layout.
'The approved alterations to the Mount Annan Marketplace car park allow for the provision of 362 car parking spaces, including eight disabled spaces, which exceeds the level of car parking required under the relevant planning guidelines,' a Camden Council spokesperson said.
‘The approved works include the rationalisation of the entry and exit points, the creation of a more efficient car park layout and the installation of a plate recognition and boom gate system to ensure the car park is used for its intended purpose.’
The council did not respond to questions about the parking spots.
In a previous story, a shopping centre in Tasmania also rolled out a car park feature sparked a debate among Aussie drivers.
The innovative feature, which involves double-lined parking bays, has been hailed as 'genius' by some, while others have slammed it as an unnecessary complication. You can read more about it here.
.png){kind=icon}
