Parking boost at Berwick Station, Melbourne

Construction is underway on a new car park in Berwick, Melbourne, to improve accessibility for commuters with up to 450 new and improved car spaces built in the station precinct.

The upgrades will help take pressure off the local road network and improve public transport access with new parking spaces, bicycle parking, security and lighting improvements.

When completed there will be more than 1400 car parking spaces in total at the station, including 16 accessible spaces.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said the project would help commuters in the region get home sooner and safer.

“The Morrison Government is getting on with delivering infrastructure projects that improve congestion and safety for commuters across Australia, making it easier for them to move around our capital cities and ensuring they get home quickly and safely.

“Under the Urban Congestion Fund, we are delivering 177 packages of work nationwide. Today’s announcement on the Berwick commuter car park brings the total number of now complete or underway to 72, with a further 43 expected to start construction this year. 

“This is just the latest example of us delivering on our commitment to progress critical infrastructure projects across the country under our record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.”

Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, said the upgrades are another step forward in improving public transport across the state.

“We are excited to be delivering this much needed car park upgrade for the Berwick community in Melbourne’s booming south-east,” Minister Carroll said.

“The new and improved car parking spaces will ensure commuters have easier access to train services at Berwick, with more choice on where they can park.

“With every level crossing to be gone on the Pakenham line by 2025, the Metro Tunnel Project increasing services and high-capacity trains rolling out, we’re getting on with delivering a world-class public transport system in Victoria.”

Federal Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, said the upgrades will benefit the entire community.

“This is more than a car park – we’re improving bicycle parking, station accessibility, security, lighting and amenities to provide a comprehensive and attractive alternative to driving,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

“This project will make a real difference to daily life in our community, busting congestion and allowing people to rely on convenient and dependable public transport infrastructure.

“By providing temporary facilities at Officer, the Berwick community can be confident that even through major works to revitalise infrastructure, accessibility will be uninterrupted.”

Member for Eastern Victorian Harriet Shing said the upgrades will be welcomed by the community.

“These improvements at Berwick Station will make it easier for people living in this rapidly growing community to use public transport and get to where they need to go.”

“The additional car park spaces mean fewer cars clogging up neighbouring streets and improved safety for commuters.”

Early works at the site have started, including the installation of temporary fencing and a site compound established, and the removal of existing pavement to make way for the car park.

Traffic management and lane closures will be in place until works are completed in early 2023.

Commuters will have access to 150 temporary car parks at Officer Station and 150 new spaces at Beaconsfield Station during the major upgrades at Berwick Station.

The works will ensure Berwick commuters can take full advantage of the Victorian Government’s massive investment in the Pakenham Line, with works to remove the nearby Clyde Road level crossing already well underway.

The removal of this dangerous and congested level crossing will clear up traffic and make travel safer for the 22,000 local drivers that use Clyde Road each weekday.

Every level crossing on the line will be gone by 2025, which means more trains can run more often, boosting capacity and creating extra services when the Metro Tunnel Project is completed.

The Level Crossing Removal Project will also rebuild nearby Pakenham Station and is building a new station at Pakenham East, ensuring Melbourne’s growing south-east has the services it needs now and in the future.

Further information on the project can be found at: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/key_projects/initiatives/urban_congestion_fund