Jennifer Pittorino
After receiving a fine for parking on his own street, Andrew Van Niel contacted Hobsons Bay council to request to change the narrow street’s parking conditions.
Rousseau Street in Williamstown is like any other, besides the fact the whole street has been deemed ‘no standing’ due to its narrow width.
“We didn’t realise we were parking incorrectly, so I went to council, it has been a back and forth ever since,” Mr Van Niel said.
Council stands firm saying the carriageway on Rosseau Street is too narrow to allow legal parking, in addition to waste collection vehicles unable to travel along the street.
Mr Van Niel said on Monday nights, the entire street would typically park their car in neighbouring Cecil Street, so that the garbage could be collected in Rosseau Street.
This was not an issue until a four-hour parking limit was placed in Cecil Street, meaning Rosseau Street residents were now required to apply for a parking permit.
The residents of Rosseau Street are asking council for a plan to be put in place.
“We want parking in the street in the form of allocated spots , whether it be half on the curb or half on the road to meet the road rules.”
“… As well as an agreement from council to move our cars on Monday night for the bins.”
A council spokesperson said under Victorian road rules, Rosseau Street in Williamstown is designated a ‘no stopping’ zone.
“Any street where a stopped car would leave less than three metres of space for other cars to pass is, by default, a ‘no stopping’ zone,” council said.
“We have started preparing designs to rehabilitate Rosseau Street and we are open to accommodating changes to this street to enable on-street parking, if this is possible.”
Mr Van Niel asks that council remains consistent in their judgements consistent with other similar streets in the neighbourhood.
Parramatta Street is a road with a width of 3.7 metres, no restrictions., Clough Street has a width of 4.7 metres, no restrictions., Waterloo Street is one-way with a width of 4.2 metres, no restrictions, Rousseau Street has a width of 4.1 metres and has been made no standing.
“We just want our cars in our streets, it can be achieved but the council have not come forward with a compromise,” Mr Van Niel said.
“We have elderly visitors that need to park close by and everyday we face safety concerns with leaving our cars away from sight.”
