Local businesses in Granville are petitioning against plans to turn Cowper Street Car Park into an urban green space, for fears reduced parking will impact both customers and staff.
The draft Granville Square Masterplan is looking to develop an area, opposite Granville Train Station, into an open, urban plaza.
The vision for the space is to be a vibrant, green, multifunctional space which could activate the community through events such as markets, open air cinemas and social gatherings.
However, set to be situated on the existing 82-space, City of Parramatta Council-owned car park, its removal is set to have a huge impact on surrounding businesses.
Arif Ahmed from Himalaya Indian Restaurant said parking in Granville is already limited and believes the removal of Cowper Street car park will greatly impact business.
“This will be very very bad for our business and have a big effect for all the businesses around this strip. That car park is always full, day and night,” he said.
“There will be nowhere for our customers to park and they will have to walk long distances to find a park elsewhere.
“Those who have mobility issues or the elderly won’t be able to come and eventually people just won’t come anymore.
“It’s not just the customers, staff rely on this parking as well. Everyone is worried, all the businesses.”
Those in opposition to the plans have criticised the consultation process, believe there is already enough green space in Granville and think a multi-storey car park would be better suited for the site.
A City of Parramatta Council spokesperson said: “Council is aware of parking concerns in Granville and, as part of the draft Granville Town Square Masterplan process, is investigating alternative parking options.”
“City of Parramatta Council launched the initial Imagine Granville consultation process in April-May 2021,” the spokesperson said.
“The campaign was presented to an estimated 225,341 people through a wide variety of communications channels.
“Stakeholders and the community were able to provide feedback via an online survey, focus groups (face-to-face and online) and an online vision board.
“Council received 55 contributions from 49 people; This feedback was used to inform the draft Granville Town Square Masterplan.”
Council will consider feedback from the public exhibition before finalising the Masterplan, which will then be taken to Council for endorsement.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.