Goya Dmytryshchak
Parking meters in Hobsons Bay have collected more than half a million dollars since being switched on again.
The parking meters at Nelson Place and Williamstown Beach were turned off from July to the end of October last year during Melbourne’s extended lockdown.
Paid parking at Nelson Place was suspended for a further two months, until December 31, 2020, as part of Hobsons Bay council’s third support package for the business community.
From November 2020 to the end of August 2021, the parking meters at Williamstown Beach and Nelson Place collected $580,657 from non-permit holders.
Maribyrnong council reintroduced paid parking in one off-street carpark in Footscray on May 24, this year, with a two-week grace period.
Acting infrastructure services director Craig Medcalf said the reintroduction of paid parking in the Paisley Street (library) carpark was a trial.
“The decision was based on high occupancy rates and vehicle turnover and was made at a time when free, uninterrupted movement was permitted,” he said.
“We appreciate the snap lockdowns affect movement and as such there’s increased parking capacity in the area for those not wanting to pay for parking.
“Even outside of lockdown, a number of parking spaces on-street and off-street within the area remain underutilised, so users continue to have a choice as to where they park – free or paid.”
He said the council did not break down parking revenue by location.
“We can advise the total revenue from all parking fees received across the municipality during 2020-2021, including the month the ticket machine at the library carpark was operating, was $1.019 million,” he said.
“This is $900,000 less than in 2019-2020.”
