Regarding the ACT Government budget announcement for Stromlo Forest Park carpark/Dave McInnes Road upgrade.
The initiatives in the 2021-22 ACT Budget will upgrade carparking facilities at Stromlo Forest Park from dirt to tarmac to allow better site accessibility to all visitors, and deliver the re-sealing of Dave McInnes Road – an important access point.
This budget initiative does not introduce paid parking at Stromlo Forest Park.
The funding will allow both design and construction of the carpark, with design to occur this financial year, and the construction/asphalting to occur the following financial year (from July 2022 onwards).
As we know, Stromlo Forest Park has been increasing in popularity, and we are seeing more than 900 vehicles per week using the carpark and surrounding roads for parking.
The existing carpark requires constant maintenance and repairs and cleaning out of drainage channels and the safety of users is a growing concern, particularly when the park is at its busy peak, during weekends and events.
Significant levels of dust are created by the wind and vehicle traffic creating dust storms throughout the site, and being a loose gravel surface on a slope, after every rain event silt runs off the carpark onto Dave McInnes Road. This silt becomes a slip hazard for cyclists, especially whilst wet, and is an environmental issue with the silt running into the stormwater channels.
Having an asphalted carpark will improve safety and enable efficient allocated carparking spaces and help to alleviate the safety concern of cars parked either side of Dave McInnes Road, currently making it unsafe for park users on foot/bike or horse.
There are currently no carpark plans or communication to share as the design phase has not yet started.
Should you have further questions please don’t hesitate to contact Geoff Bartlett at director@act.triathlon.org.au
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