Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Minister Stephan Knoll announced today that the Budget would meet the Liberals’ election commitment to expand commuter parking at the two sites, with 400 car parks for Golden Grove and 775 for Paradise.

He said the Government remained “committed” to delivering an extra 500 parking spaces at Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig, but it had decided to prioritise Paradise and Golden Grove due to greater need.

The previous Government had allocated $15 million to expand commuter car parking at Tea Tree Plaza and Klemzig. Both areas, like Paradise, are on the popular O-Bahn route. Labor says the contracts had already been awarded, with construction due to start later this year.

“Approximately 5300 people board buses at the Paradise interchange every day so there’s a real need for increased parking,” Knoll said today.

“That’s why the Paradise interchange park ‘n’ ride is the Marshall Government’s priority and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020.

“These park ‘n’ rides will encourage more people to use the O-Bahn service, reduce congestion in the area and provide a better service.”

Labor had promised to expand parking at Paradise but scrapped the plan after its car park tax – which was meant to fund the project – failed to get through Parliament.

The previous Government announced in February that it would fund the Paradise parking expansion. It also announced then that it had awarded the $15 million contract to build extra parks at Klemzig and Tea Tree Plaza.

The Marshall Government’s first Budget will be handed down by Treasurer Rob Lucas on Tuesday.

– InDaily