Call for free park-and-ride service

Alex de Vos
A Torquay community association wants a free park-and-ride system to ease parking congestion over summer.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association’s Lyn Smith said the bus service, similar to an existing system in Geelong, would be “excellent” for Torquay.
The Geelong park-and-ride service ferries residents from parking lots at Belmont and Eastern Gardens to the city centre.
Ms Smith called for a Torquay system after hearing Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove were planning to introduce their own park-and-ride service.
“We’ve got a very narrow esplanade and it’s a known fact there’s insufficient parking in Torquay,” Ms Smith said.
“Anything like a park-and-ride bus is so important and would make the world of difference.
“If Surf Coast Shire got something started now then they could nut out all the problems before the influx of residents to Torquay from the Armstrong Creek development.”
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association’s David Hosking cautiously supported Ms Smith.
“It’s certainly something to look at if it can be properly funded,” Mr Hosking said.
“But I don’t see parking in Torquay and Jan Juc as a problem,” Ms Smith said.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management’s Bob Jordan said he hoped Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove could establish a park-and-ride service for summers.
Mr Jordan said the committee “strongly believed” the service would alleviate parking problems in the towns.
“We’ve been in ongoing discussions with council and everybody is very supportive but it’s a project that’s not going to happen overnight.”