Glen Waverley Voters Concerned Over Potholes, Parking, and Housing Affordability

Glen Waverley residents are voicing concerns over potholes, parking shortages, and unaffordable housing as the state election approaches. The local shopping strip, which caters to a diverse community, is bracing for the impact of scrapped plans for a 500-space multi-storey car park.

Parking Pressures

Traders in the area warn that without the extra parking, customers may abandon family-run businesses for larger shopping centers. Craig Lane, vice president of the Glen Waverley Traders Association, has run businesses in central Glen Waverley for over 30 years. He says traffic is already congested as motorists search for parking spots.

"We're not against the SRL, but we need car parking," he said. "Car parking means customers, customers means revenue for all the traders."

The parking challenges are exacerbated by construction work near the local train station as part of the Suburban Rail Loop East project. The project's budget is $35 billion, and it aims to link Melbourne's south-east and eastern suburbs.

Potholes Causing Headaches

Potholes are another road-related issue driving voters' concerns. A 15-meter pothole on High Street Road has been reported multiple times, and residents are worried about the risk of accidents. Bronwyn Bennett, a local resident, has reported the issue to state authorities several times.

"It started as a smaller hole. It's now what we call a sinkhole," she said. "I've been waiting to see when there's going to be a car accident."

Unaffordable House Prices

Residents are also feeling the pinch of unaffordable housing, with the current median house value in Glen Waverley over $1.6 million. Preetha Sree, a mother of three, says the suburb's good reputation has made properties quickly unaffordable.

"I just get worried about my kids. I'm not sure how they are going to afford a house on their own one day," she said.

The seat of Glen Waverley is held by Labor on a slim 3.3 percent margin, and former Labor strategist Kos Samaras expects it to fall "pretty quickly" on election night.

Government Response

When asked about the car parking shortfall, the government said it would find "alternative ways to deliver sufficient parking in Glen Waverley." A Suburban Rail Loop spokesperson said the government is working closely with traders to deliver support during SRL East construction.

"We are continuing to work with the City of Monash to determine the best long-term parking solution for the Glen Waverley community once the SRL station is open in 2035," the spokesperson said.

Liberal MP Richard Welch told parliament his party's local candidate is campaigning hard on the issue, saying, "The businesses have been living on the hope of this promise being fulfilled, and it was meant to have been fulfilled already. It has not been."

"It is absolutely appalling. I can tell you now: the business community will not forget or forgive this."