Concerned traders have gathered to warn the government that a paucity of carparks during a major redevelopment of Dickson shops could sink local businesses.
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A group of about 50 people gathered at the Brindabella Christian College in Lyneham on Saturday afternoon to voice concerns over the redevelopment of the shopping centre, which could start as early as late this year.
The work, yet to be formally approved by the government, would see Coles and Aldi open in Dickson and the construction of between 100 and 150 residential apartments.
The project will involve up to 220 workers with 200 vehicles at its peak, and will see 237 car spaces ripped up on the corner of Badham and Antill Streets.
That, local businesses fear, will make it near impossible to find a park and turn the Dickson shopping centre into a “ghost town” during the work, which is likely to take two years.
Two senior officials from the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate spoke at length to the group on Saturday afternoon, attempting to assuage their concerns.
A further 100 temporary car spaces are expected to be opened up near Dickson Pool, and the meeting heard the Dickson Tradies have agreed to open up some of their underground parking to alleviate pressure.
The government, the meeting heard, is also talking with the new owners of the former ACTTAB site about the timing of a planned 116-space parking development there.
The directorate said concerns about traffic flow and access points to parking would likely be eased by upgrades to five intersections.
Fears were also aired about disability parking, long stay parking for staff, availability during peak periods for restaurants on Friday and Saturday night, and the possible commencement of work just before a break for the Christmas holidays.
One attendee also feared local shops would be decimated by the addition of a major supermarket.
“Surely the local shopping centre has to be protected by our government,” one man said.
Dickson Aquatic Centre manager Chris Graham sparked applause when he warned the directorate representatives of the potential for Dickson to become a ghost town.
“You’re doing a good job to try and, I suppose, accommodate us,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, the people in this room have made a lot of investment in their businesses and they’re worried that this will sink them.”
He said his business received 80,000 visits between October and March, and parking was already a major problem.
The government committed to regularly meeting with a group of local business representatives to further talk through the concerns.