Do the maths on CBD car parking
The eight-storey, $116 million building proposed for Vicinity’s Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston is one of six major projects granted priority approval by Victorian planning minister Richard Wynne to create jobs and bolster economic recovery.
It’s a big private investment tick for Frankston’s languishing CBD but has a major flaw – insufficient car parks.
Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke, a keen supporter of the project, stated it would “generate 1470 ongoing jobs” but conceded it would provide just “85 new car parks” for those new workers. This is 389 fewer than required under planning law but it’s been claimed there is sufficient existing parking. It’s a Ponzi scheme that double-counts old parking spaces.
Frankston Council was so concerned about insufficient parking that it twice deferred voting on the proposal, asking Bayside to solve the problem. Instead, the project was called in for fast-tracking by Mr Wynne. Councillors wrote to Mr Wynne, asking him to reject the development as the car parking discrepancy remained unresolved. The council had commissioned a report that included staff physically counting how many spaces Bayside actually had. This revealed car parks required for Bayside’s previous expansions had not been met. Bayside was 346 car spaces short even before the eight-storey proposal.
Total shortfall of spaces is 735. When a developer cannot provide sufficient parking for a new building, the council levies $19,500 per space. This pays for construction of new council-controlled car parks such as those in Young Street. Bayside’s missing 735 car spaces are worth $14.3 million.
This episode makes a mockery of one of the big issues of Frankston’s CBD – insufficient affordable parking. This a key reason why we’ve been advocating for extension of the Frankston rail line to Langwarrin and beyond – to create park and rides and take pressure off CBD parking.
Ginevra Hosking, CEO Committee for Greater Frankston
State government response to letter:
The Mornington Peninsula Magazine – breaking news cited the above Committee for Greater Frankston letter in their article titled:
Committee’s message on Bayside project: Do the maths on parking – it doesn’t add up
Mornington Peninsula Magazine 28 October 2020
The Victorian State Government provided the following anonymous response, to Mornington Peninsula Magazine on the 30 October 2020 regarding the planning and car parking issues raised by the Committee for Greater Frankston.
The State Government says there is adequate parking to handle the increased demand expected to be generated by the proposed eight-storey retail and office complex in Frankston. This follows concern from the Committee for Greater Frankston over the method used to calculate the number of car spaces necessary for the $116 million development at Bayside Shopping Centre.
Committee CEO Ginevra Hosking said in a letter to Mornington Peninsula Magazine this week that the calculation of parking spaces to meet planning law requirements for the development was “a Ponzi scheme” because it double-counted existing spaces, and that there was in fact a total shortfall of 735 spaces.
However, in a statement to Morn Pen Mag today, a Government spokeswoman said: “Proposed parking provisions combined with the existing level of carparking capacity and vacancy in the Bayside Shopping Centre is considered adequate to meet demands generated by the redevelopment.”
The Government maintains previous studies of parking spaces at Bayside have found there are generally a minimum of 578 carparking vacancies in the shopping centre at any typical trading time. “The provision of carparking for the project is considered acceptable based on the existing levels of carparking capacity and due to patterns of usage and vacancy. Also taken into consideration is the site’s location in a major activity centre close to public transport, including Frankston station.”
Frankston Community Notice Board
13 October 2020
Today the State Planning Minister gave direct approval for the Vicinity Centres Bayside Centre, Balmoral Office Development. This project is part of the state’s initiative to invigorate the economy and assist Victoria with recovery from the COVID crisis.
The approval of the 8 story, $240 million development will bring 210 construction jobs to Frankston and is predicted to generate 1,470 ongoing jobs for the city. The development will include 14,037 square meters of office space and 1,772 square meters of retail floorspace at ground level. This project is also seen as consistent with the efforts to reinvigorate the Frankston CBD and will enhance public areas, particularly for pedestrians using Balmoral Walk, White Street Mall and Shannon Street Mall.
The project was initially held up by a dispute with Frankston Council regarding the provision for parking however it was viewed that in addition to the 85 carparks provided in the project, there was sufficient availability of existing parking throughout the Bayside Shopping Complex. In addition the project also promotes the greater use of public transport as well as other sustainable forms of transport. Paul Edbrooke MP, who has been championing this project, says “it is amazing to see a huge company like Vicinity share our vision for Frankston.
This quarter of a billion dollar investment in our community is evidence that the state government’s record investment in the Frankston CBD under the Frankston Revitalisation Board is generating positive outcomes for our community as planned. I am so pleased to see this project go ahead and provide the residents of Frankston, not only with improved facilities, but increased employment opportunities in our area”
Other Media Coverage of this issue:
This letter was published by the Mornington Peninsula News Group in the following editions:
- Lead letter – Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News -Wednesday 4 November 2020- Page 9
- Frankston Times – Tuesday 3 November 2020- Page 15
- Mornington News – Tuesday 3 November 2020- Page 33
- Western Port News – Wednesday 4 November 2020- Page 13
- Southern Peninsula News-Wednesday 4 November 2020- Page 19
Fast-tracked suburban developments to kickstart construction industry
Herald Sun, PETER ROLFE, 23 October 2020
A thirteen storey tower in the main street of Richmond and a $116 million expansion of Frankston shopping centre are among six major projects granted priority approval in a bid to create jobs and bolster Victoria’s economic recovery.
Planning Minister fast-tracks contentious developments to stimulate the economy
The Age, BIANCA HALL, 23 October 2020
Planning Minister Richard Wynne has fast-tracked $625 million worth of developments, including a vast solar farm in Wangaratta opposed by locals and a contentious Collingwood development, to generate jobs and help stimulate Victoria’s economic recovery.
