THE social housing development proposed for the airspace around the Nixon and Maude Street carparks will affect more than neighbouring students at Shepparton ACE Secondary College and homeowners.
“I understand a lot of people have different objections to the proposed social housing development at the Nixon and Maude Street carparks. The biggest reason being that the development is next to a school,” said Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson.
“The Chamber’s position is that we cannot have any removal of carparks from the Shepparton CBD.”
Mr Anderson stressed that parking is in short supply in the Central Businss District (CBD). While the ground floor of the proposed social housing would be returned to the Council to use as public car parking, Mr Anderson says that after amenities like lifts, fire exits, and water, waste and electricity are factored into the design, the number of parks available would be considerably reduced.
“We will lose several parks after the building is complete. That particular car park is free for three hours, making it a really valuable space for people shopping in Shepparton, giving them some extra time to access the Mall or run errands.”
The Nixon and Maude Street carparks offer convenient parking to surrounding retail businesses, hospitality venues and professional services, their employees and people who use their businesses.
“This parking lot is handy to a whole host of businesses that use the parking space and being only a block away from Fryers Street and the Mall would impact activity throughout the CBD,” said Mr Anderson.
Shepparton’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry intend to send a submission to Council regarding the loss of carparks and how this would negatively impact business in Shepparton.
Community consultation has been extended until Monday, February 28. Email submissions to council@shepparton.vic.gov.au, or submit online at shaping.greatershepparton.com.au/ or in writing to Greater Shepparton City Council, Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton, VIC, 3632. Submissions should be titled, ‘Notice of Intention to Sell Land – Maude Nixon and Edward Streets Car Park’.
