The City of Casey has invited the local community to provide feedback on its proposed plans to add more car parking spaces at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.
In order to cater for the growing number of visitors and to ease on-street parking in nearby streets, the council is proposing a new long-term, overflow car park to accommodate an additional 60 to 100 vehicles near the Kramer Drive entrance.
The council said that the car park will have limited operating hours and would only be used during busy periods and a small number of special events, which are occasionally held at night.
Casey’s mayor, Stefan Koomen, said that “we know how much Wilson Botanic Park means to the Casey community”.
“We’re committed to exploring improvements that respond to the needs of our community.
“The proposed overflow car park responds to a clear demand for more parking during peak times, but any decision will be guided by community input,” he said.
The park has seen more than 424,000 visitors already in 2025, with the existing 132 on-site parking spaces no longer deemed adequate during peak periods, such as weekends, public holidays, and school holidays.
Earlier in April this year, the council released plans to install the car park at the end of Kramer Drive with a projected cost of $310,000, an announcement that was not met lightly by residents of the street.
It was initially identified in 2022, after visitations to the park during the year sat above 580,000, and then increasing to 910,501 in 2024.
After vocal protests by residents, which included them directly speaking to the mayor, the local councillors, Cr Dave Perry and other relevant council members, following a meeting, the decision was temporarily rescinded in the Capital Works program.
It was ruled to have been removed due to public submissions, and to also allow for community consultation on the project.
Currently, Cr Perry said that he understands “that a proposed change like this new car park being considered now raises genuine concerns for residents”.
“We want to hear the views of residents living close to Wilson Botanic Park, [and] I’m committed to making sure this engagement is genuine, inclusive, and creates outcomes that truly reflect what locals value,” he said.
The new proposed car park will feature grass reinforcement mesh, an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution that aims to blend in with the landscape.
Residents can attend one of the following pop-up sessions at the park’s café to ask questions and provide feedback:
Wednesday, 20 August, from 11am to 1pm;
Sunday 31 August, from 12pm to 2pm and;
Saturday 13 September, from 11am to 1pm.
For more information, access to a survey, and to share your thoughts, visit conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/wbparking
