Mandurah Forum multi deck carpark opens

IT IS open.

No longer will parking be a massive problem at Mandurah Forum following the official opening of the first 850-bay multi deck carpark this morning .

As part of the Forum’s $350 million redevelopment, the three level carpark is just a few steps, or a short trip on a travelator, to the first of four eventual welcome halls to the shops.

Opening the parking area, Vicinity director of development Stephen Beer said the parking decks were what the community had been asking for.

Mr Beer, who arrived with Santa in a vintage convertible, said parking had always been an issue and it was a significant day that had been in the pipeline for many years.

“The carpark is as good as anything in Australia,’’ he said.

City of Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone said the deck was important for the 83,000 population with the redevelopment providing 1000 jobs during construction and 700 retail positions.

The carpark was based on feedback from customers who wanted the convenience of shaded parking, more entries and exits and a modern parking system to guide them to available spaces.

It features a park assist system using red and green LED-based indicators showing the availability of parking bays, electronic display boards that also guide to available carparking spaces, dedicated parent with prams and disabled bays, electric car charging bays, a suite of bike racks, street art murals and easy access to the Dower Street bus stop.

Shoppers using the new multi-deck carpark will arrive in the welcome hall – the first hint of what the transformed centre will eventually look like, including a light-filled grid roof.

A second 850-bay car park opens on the eastern side of the centre in March.

A pop-up ice skating rink for children is open in the welcome hall until Christmas Eve.