Ease the squeeze

CARDINIA Shire Council opened a new car park area on Monday in a bid to ease the squeeze in Pakenham’s retail heartland.
The parking bay, near Retravision, will provide 150 spaces.
Councillor Collin Ross has urged traders to get their staff to use the newest parking bay to free up parks closer to the main shopping area.
Mayor Bill Pearson said the council was also looking at other parking options as it prepared to close a 280-space car park in Treloar Lane. The parking bay will be fenced off mid next month to pave the way for the construction of an $80 million retail hub.
Cr Pearson said additional parking areas were expected to open soon at PB Ronald Reserve and James Street.
He assured existing business owners that plenty of alternative car parking would be provided for shoppers and traders, as well as site workers while an $80 million retail hub was being constructed.
The centre will feature a Big W department store, Woolworths supermarket, specialty shops, food court and underground parking.
The council is also building a new library and public hall at the PB Ronald Reserve in a $7.1 million project in partnership with the Federal Government.