The introduction of parking meters in Yarraville Village pushed people out of the popular shopping strip, new research has revealed.
A joint Melbourne University and Monash University study shows visitation rates dropped immediately after the machines were switched on last August amid much controversy, before being switched off again in December along with all machines in the Footscray CBD.
The peer-reviewed study by Dr Gary Au and Professor William Young, presented last week at a major transport conference, found the $1.80 per hour pay parking led to a decline in business turnover as shoppers abandoned the village for shopping centres with free parking such as the nearby Yarraville Square.
A business survey found an average taking turndown of 24 per cent, with smaller businesses the hardest hit. Car visitation was well down every day other than Sunday, a free parking day.
The introduction of paid parking split the council down the middle and triggered heated backlash from the community.
The machines were switched off as a new Maribyrnong-wide parking policy was drafted, however the council was unable to agree on its form and the policy was abandoned until a new council could be formed.
The year-long parking meter switch-off across Footscray and Yarraville has so far created an estimated $2.4 million hit to council coffers, with a further $200,000 revenue shortfall every month they remain off.
By contrast, revenue from the Yarraville meters in the three months they were on ranged from $1240 to $3940 per week, despite expectations they would collect $6900 per week.
Dr Au said the study provides a solid evidence base for Maribyrnong Council as it reconsiders if and when to switch the machines back on.
He said earlier studies commissioned by Council had been haphazard and compared “apples with oranges” by including different areas in the before and after data.
“We are neither for nor against paid parking, we are just there to assess and publish,” he said.
“We have provided our results to council and are prepared to work with council to build a bit of an evidence base.”
Maribyrnong Council chief executive Stephen Wall said following the election of a new Council, officers will wait for direction from Council as to the development and consideration of a parking management policy.
“In developing a policy, all available information will be taken into account,” he said.
“Until a policy is adopted by Council, the meters will not be switched back on.”
