By James Wallace MP
I recently visited a local retirement village and had the chance to speak at their Residents’ Meeting. A key topic of discussion was the lack of public transport access to Cherrybrook Metro and parking which favours long-term commuter parking over shorter-stay spots. Staying socially and physically active as we age is a key factor of healthy ageing and is something our community members deserve access to.
Residents at the meeting said the lack of short-term parking near transport hubs like Cherrybrook Metro is an issue which makes taking advantage of the Metro’s quick trip into the City a real challenge. All the parking is dedicated to long term commuter parking and is full up very early in the day.
One resident described how she needed to drive to Castle Towers to make use of the free short-term parking so she could get to the Metro for a trip into the city.
Distance and lack of frequency of bus stops and services from many retirement villages was another concern. Costly carpooling, taxis or simply missing out on social activities were the only options available to those residents without a car or license. As I spoke about with residents, I am interested in exploring new options to open up space for additional parking and increasing short-term parking spots for those wanting to do a short day trip into the City or elsewhere outside of peak commuter hours.
Reinstating the express bus services to the city is another improvement that would make a material difference to the lives of our elderly. I hope to visit more retirement villages over the coming months and help make life easier for those who have contributed so much to our society throughout their lifetimes.
