By Gladys Barreta
Business owners at Melton Station Square are claiming that trade has dropped significantly due to a congested car park.
A large area of the Melton Station car park is closed due to construction and as a result commuters are parking at Station Square.
Business owners and shoppers have expressed their frustration, with some fearing the potential for road rage.
Owner of Austar Salon located in Station Square, Thao Huynh, said trade has decreased by 40 percent since the construction started.
“The problem with not being able to find a park has been really bad for business,” Ms. Huynh said.
“Some customers are coming in and saying they couldn’t find a park, and I feel responsible. I feel that I have to do something about it for my customers.”
Ms. Huynh said she has had fewer walk-in customers as a result.
“Before they closed the other car park, there was a lot of space here, and anyone could come in.
“But now people are too stressed to find a park, so no one is really coming here.”
Ms. Huynh suggests the best solution going forward would be to put a three-hour time limit on the parks so more people can use them throughout the day.
Local shopper from Melton South, Gurhan Araci, said it took him at least 10 minutes to find a park and that he had never seen the car park this full before.
“Usually, there’s only about a third of the cars parked here,” Mr. Araci said.
“Knowing it’s this busy, I’m probably going to go somewhere else next time.
“Until the construction is over, I wouldn’t be coming here again. It’s not worth it because there’s no guarantee you’ll even get a park.”
Level Crossing Removal Project spokesperson said the project team is working closely with Melton City Council and the local shopping centre to reduce the impact of temporary station car park closures during construction.
“Major construction on the Melton level crossing removal project is underway, with four sets of boom gates set to go and the new Melton Station featuring 940 car parking spaces opening in 2026.”
