Council has become aware of some community concern about changing the parking bays on Watsonia Road from the existing 60-degree angled parking to 90-degree parking. While this design would deliver 6 additional parking spaces, we’ve heard concerns that this change might cause safety issues with people pulling into and backing out of carparks.

While Council is confident that the proposed parking change is positive and consistent with relevant standards, we are pausing the changes in response to community feedback. We will review the designs to consider all of the safety concerns that have been raised. As some of the works have started, we will also make some interim signage changes to make sure the 2 existing accessible car parks remain available. We will make the existing works safe and remove any fencing that is no longer required.

We know that the community want to see as much car parking near the shops as possible and an overall improvement to the centre.

After we have reviewed the designs, we will come back with a detailed response. We aim to do this in November.

We will also look to hold a drop-in session with Council staff at the Watsonia Library to talk through the designs. The date and details will be provided when confirmed.

Progress on Watsonia Town Square

Over the last 12 months, we have completed the first stage of Watsonia Town Square on time and on budget, including:

• Removing the two round abouts on Watsonia Road and High Street
• Reconstructing the large central car park on Morwell Avenue, including new lighting
• Installing a large water retention system under the Morwell Avenue carpark to improve drainage in the area
• Building a new shared user park (to ultimately connect through to the station) and an arbour for shade.
• Creating safe raised pedestrian crossings at High Street and Watsonia Road, including pedestrian lights at Watsonia Road.
• Installing disabled carparking spaces that meet current standards.

We recently awarded a contract to complete the last stage of the Town Square, including landscaping for the open space areas and a new, accessible toilet block on the library side.

Thanks for your ongoing patience and support as we build Watsonia Town Square.