WESTFIELD has ended months of speculation that it would introduce paid parking at its North Lakes shopping centre.
“As part of the car park redevelopment, a new ticketless parking system will commence just prior to launch,” Westfield announced today when it announced the shopping centre expansion would open on November 17.
“The completed redevelopment will open with a significantly larger car park including the addition of a new multi-deck undercover car park, totalling more than 4,900 spaces,” the statement said.
The ticketless system allows “shoppers to continue entering and exiting the car park without the need for a ticket or pay station”.
“Following the introduction of the managed parking system, shoppers will enjoy the first three hours’ parking free of charge.
“Rear access to parking from the Bruce Highway off-ramp will reopen along with a new entry point to the centre from Anzac Avenue, providing customers with improved accessibility and convenience.”
The expansion includes a new 60-store retail mall linking the existing centre to a new Ikea store, which will open on the same day.
The new retail mall will have a Kmart, JB Hi-Fi Home, Rebel Sport and Cotton On Mega, along with a number of fashion and general retail stores.
The North Lakes Times reported last month construction at the entrance looked like boom gates could soon be installed.
At the time, a spokeswoman for Scentre Group, which owns Westfield, said more announcements would be made in the coming weeks but did not confirm or deny the speculation.
“Scentre Group is conducting major upgrades across Westfield North Lakes, investing $170 million to deliver new fashion and lifestyle precincts, along with the recently opened fresh food marketplace and Laneway dining precinct,” the spokeswoman said in a statement.
“The upgrade also includes carpark works.”
Paid parking at the North Lakes shopping centre had been a hit topic, with Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) previously placing a “free parking” condition on Westfield’s North Lakes developments, which stalled the Ikea development for about two years.
In 2015, MBRC deleted the paid parking condition, giving the green light to Ikea which is currently under construction and due to open its doors before Christmas.
Original article published at www.couriermail.com.au by Jamie-Leigh Mason 07/10/16