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Maribyrnong council would introduce paid parking in Yarraville but not Seddon, under a plan to be voted upon next Tuesday night.
The ‘Proposed Pay Parking in Footscray South, Yarravile, Seddon and Joseph Road Precincts’ report, released on Friday, recommends the changes despite considerable community backlash.
The report suggests key outcomes of the introduction of pay parking would be improved traffic and parking management, economic development and the possibility to use the revenue for improved business promotion, streetscapes, parking and transport.
“The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) Group advised council that the consequences of no action, or delaying the introduction of further controls, will result in reduced parking access to the shopping areas and contribute to more congestion, that turnover of parking spaces for shoppers will decline, there will continue to be inequity in parking supply between traders in different areas, that the perception of available parking will get worse and that more parking fines will need to be issued in order to improve compliance,” the report stated.
“Pay parking has been successfully implemented in the City of Maribyrnong to encourage the efficient utilisation of valuable parking, providing more equitable parking for all affected, based on the “User Pays” principle.”
The report concedes at least 90 per cent of respondents to a survey on the proposal were negative, but suggests existing restrictions in surrounding streets will be reviewed and changes introduced in order to minimise the impact of a possible shift of parking demand.
The report also recommends the council establish an Activity Centre Promotion Fund to support and promote local retail and commercial activity and ensure enforcement and signage and smartphone technology applications for pay parking payments.
Pay parking in Yarraville would apply to Anderson Street between Buninyong Street and Willis Street; Ballarat Street between Simpson Street and Canterbury Street; Canterbury Street between railway station and Willis Street; the Canterbury Street car park and the Simpson Street off-street car park.
Yarraville traders have vowed to fight the proposal tooth and nail and pursue legal action to stop the introduction.
The report follows a heated meeting on Tuesday night at which about 40 people spoke against the proposal.
Support came from Footscray business leaders seeking to ‘level the playing field’.
Last Saturday, close to 1000 people turned out to march in protest against the introduction of paid parking in Seddon and Yarraville.
<a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/8380592/”>Do you support paid parking in Yarraville?</a>
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