Seniors’ plea for extra parking

By Rebecca Fraser
THE Narre Warren Seniors Citizens Club has called on Casey Council to fulfil what it says are broken promises and deliver more car parking to the centre.
Club members say older residents are being forced to park on busy Centre Road or walk up to half a kilometre to reach the centre because of the shortage of car spaces.
The club has 250 members but only 24 proper car spaces. Members also park on the centre’s front lawn which can accommodate another 10 vehicles.
Margaret and Geoff Trickey have been members of the club for more than 10 years and said the parking situation had worsened as their membership climbed.
Mrs Trickey is club president.
The pair said they desperately needed at least another 30 car spaces and were sick of being ignored by the council.
“The problem is we now have approximately 250 members and nothing has been done to improve the situation.
“We have, through our various activities, encouraged members to join and feel we are providing a valuable service to the community,” Mr Trickey said.
“It appears each time we mention car parking to council, promises are made but the subject is again put on the backburner.
“A big fuss is made about ageing positively and we are doing our share to this end but we appear to not be getting the support we need from council.”
Mr Trickey, the club’s tour coordinator, said many of their members were aged over 70 and found the long walk from their cars difficult.
“If it is wet or stinking hot it is not good for people that age to have to walk far,” Mr Trickey said.
Casey councillor Michael Farley will present a petition to the next Casey Council meeting calling for the car parking shortage to be addressed.
Cr Farley said it was important that Casey’s older residents were well looked after and he was keen to see the issue addressed.
Councillor Mick Morland said he attended the centre’s recent annual general meeting and witnessed the car parking dilemma first hand.
He moved at a recent council meeting that officers conduct a feasibility study, including the costing involved of upgrading the car park.
Cr Morland said he recognised that the car parking shortage was an issue and a report on the matter would be presented back to the council at a later date.