Maribrynong council has supported a plan to extend paid parking across Footscray, Yarraville and Seddon.
A report by council officers presented to the councillors at a meeting on Tuesday night stated that without the expansion of paid parking throughout Maribyrnong, planned improvements – including revitalisation of the Little Saigon precinct in Footscray – would be “severely compromised”.
Areas identified by the council as appropriate for paid parking in Yarraville include sections of Anderson, Ballarat and Canterbury streets and car parks on Canterbury and Simpson streets.
In Seddon, paid parking is planned for sections of Charles, Gamon and Victoria streets and in Footscray on McNab Avenue, Nicholson and Albert streets and the Albert Street car park.
Parking fees are also set to be introduced across Footscray’s Joseph Road Precinct including Maribyrnong, Warde, Wightman, Selina, Whitehall and Moreland streets, Joseph Road and Neilson Place.
Mayor Grant Miles said paid parking would help traders by encouraging a higher turnover of vehicles in these areas.
“Compared to other inner-city areas, the level of paid parking in Maribyrnong is very low,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as a free car parking space and those that are free are subsidised by ratepayers.
“Paid parking was introduced in Footscray four years ago and it’s proven to be good for business because it has encouraged a higher turnover of vehicles.
“Footscray, Yarraville and Seddon will still have areas of free parking, but this is about encouraging more people to park on the outskirts of these areas.”
In the 2013-14 financial year, Maribyrnong collected $3.5 million in revenue from parking fees.
The report states the Australian Road Research Board Group has advised the council that the consequences of failing to control increasing parking demand across Maribyrnong will lead to more congestion, less turnover of parking spaces and increased parking fines.
“The expansion of pay parking into further areas of the city including Yarraville, Seddon and parts of Footscray is considered necessary to meet ongoing improvements to town centre amenity and infrastructure, while contributing to vehicle turnover and economic vitality,” it states.
“The generation of non-rates revenue such as paid parking is an important element towards achieving a long-term financially sustainable city.”
The council will hold a “comprehensive consultation program” with the community on the proposed changes before determining whether to go ahead with the plan.
