COUNCILLORS have slammed the state government for failing to provide enough parking around its buildings, as congestion around Orange Health Service and the Department of Primary Industries worsens.
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Councillor Ron Gander proposed to add two-hour parking zones to Edward Street outside a specialist medical practice because patients were having difficulties finding a parking space nearby.
“They’ve had major surgery, so having two-hour parking will make life easier for everybody,” he said.
“They’re having great trouble getting a park because of employees at the DPI.”
Cr Gander also suggested expanding the Endsleigh Avenue car park and councillors referred the matter to the City of Orange Traffic Committee for investigation, but not before councillor Glenn Taylor questioned why the responsibility for easing the parking burden should fall on the council.
“You’re asking the general manager to check out whether the ratepayers can lease land to accommodate parking for the DPI, which is a state government department,” he said.
Cr Taylor said the parking situation around the Bloomfield campus had also become more serious, estimating the number of cars parking along Forest Road had doubled.
“I don’t know when construction will start across the road, but there’s 40 cars across there,” he said.
“Why can’t the bureaucracy see there’s an acute shortage? It’s a big issue.”
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said he would be happy to discuss the situation regarding the DPI with the council if asked, but upgrading Bloomfield’s internal road network needed to happen before extra parking could be built and the development application was with the council.
“The timing of the works is in the hands of Orange City Council,” he said.
“Once Huntley Road is opened, there will be a parking study carried out to determine whether the parking upgrade should be by way of a parking station or increased open-air parking.”
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
