It's here: Ken Simpson at the Mount Druitt commuter car park on the corner of North Parade and Mount Street. It was full when the Star visited last Thursday. Picture: Gary Warrick
ANOTHER project can be ticked off the Mount Druitt to-do list now that the commuter car park has opened.
With two storeys and 220 spots, the car park is being put to good use after a long and hard fought campaign to relieve the shortage of parking for commuters at Mount Druitt.
Blacktown Council's seniors advisory sub-committee member Ken Simpson had hoped it would be three storeys, but said this will be "a distinct benefit".
"It takes cars off the street," the Blackett resident said.
"There's been nowhere for people using the station to park, except on the road. They're parked along the whole length of the road, taking up one lane of the street."
Mr Simpson said it will also be used by those who go to the nearby courthouse and TAFE.
The car park was opened with little fanfare, in contrast to the St Marys launch two years ago, opened by then Premier Kristina Keneally.
It coincided with the former state government announcing plans to turn an abandoned block of land in Mount Druitt into a commuter car park.
Mount Druitt MP Richard Amery put party politics aside to thank transport minister Gladys Berejiklian for ensuring the project was not axed.
Mr Amery had campaigned for years for the car park with the help of former neighbouring Londonderry MP Allan Shearan.
"It affected residents in the western side of my electorate," Mr Shearan told the Star last week. "I'm pleased the design was developed in a way it can be expanded on in the future."
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