![The car park, with historic goods shed in the background, was sparsely populated on Monday. Picture: Adam Holmes The car park, with historic goods shed in the background, was sparsely populated on Monday. Picture: Adam Holmes](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/39DXPJ6bfYBT8JmDyHFbVdB/98dc8087-c117-40c7-8a2f-d1f39a1a5ce7.JPG/r0_188_4032_2724_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
IT’S about 3000 square metres of asphalt and has 150 spaces for cars.
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But not everyone is pleased with the new car park at the Castlemaine Railway Station, believing it fails to match the heritage precinct, has no shade, no trees and no landscaping.
Nearby resident Zoe Carney described the car park on Kennedy Street as a “hideous monstrosity”.
She has campaigned against the plans for the last two years, and believes her original concerns have now been justified.
“Despite residents lobbying for over two years for a more sympathetic design, VicTrack has delivered something that is indistinguishable from the Epsom station car park, save that at Epsom they at least planted a couple of trees,” Ms Carney said.
“Castlemaine wasn’t so lucky.
“As of 11am today, there is not one car in the car park. There are, however, plenty of cars parked in the shade on the street. This is exactly what residents were predicting.”
She presented a petition with more than 200 signatures to local MPs urging a change of design, but it failed to sway VicTrack.
The car park was one of many built across the state in recent years as part of a $20 million state government program.
![Zoe Carney in the almost-empty car park at Castlemaine Railway Station, which she says is an eyesore for the heritage precinct. Picture: Adam Holmes Zoe Carney in the almost-empty car park at Castlemaine Railway Station, which she says is an eyesore for the heritage precinct. Picture: Adam Holmes](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/39DXPJ6bfYBT8JmDyHFbVdB/9f8bd29f-4205-4ad1-ba21-ac5e984a4b40.JPG/r0_152_4032_2652_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It sits alongside the 150-year-old goods shed, which was rejuvenated in recent years to host performing spaces, and became the home of the Castlemaine State Festival.
It was officially opened last week by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards, joined by councillors from Mount Alexander Shire.
Ms Edwards posted images of the event on her Facebook page, and received both positive and negative comments from constituents. Some suggested a roof with solar panels and water collection would enhance the use of the space.
Ms Edwards said she would take the feedback to VicTrack.
“I looked at the comments on my Facebook page, and a lot of people were very grateful to have extra parking at the train station,” she said.
“Others had suggestions or questions about it, which I will take to VicTrack. Ultimately it will be up to them to determine if more work needs to be done.
Ms Edwards said she expected more commuters to use the car park after the holiday season, and when people became used to it.