Yarraville traders have vowed to take legal action over Maribyrnong Council’s controversial decision to introduce pay parking in the face of widespread community opposition.
Mayor Grant Miles used his casting vote to back the roll-out of parking meters after a fiery council meeting on Tuesday night reached a 3-3 deadlock.
Councillors Nam Quach, Cameron McDonald and Grant Miles voted in favour of the proposal, with councillors Sarah Carter, Michael Clarke and Martin Zakharov voting against.
Convention is for the casting vote to support the status quo, but there is no obligation to do so.
Cr Catherine Cumming had earlier declared a conflict of interest and was absent from the vote.
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Cr Miles suggested Michael Clarke and Martin Zakharov should also declare conflicts of interest after appearing at a protest against the paid parking roll-out, but the pair denied any conflict and remained.
Members of the public shouted out their view that Cr Miles had his own conflict of interest as a Footscray business owner. Cr Miles had earlier indicated he had legal advice indicating he was free of a conflict.
A packed public gallery erupted in jeers of ‘shame’ at the passing of the motion with Yarraville Traders Association President and The Village Store proprietor Andrew Dannaoui declaring the ball was now rolling on legal action.
A council report recommending the introduction suggested pay parking in Yarraville would add about $320,000 per year to council coffers.
Cr Zakharov questioned the claim, pointing out the likely costs of implementation.
Cr Carter said there was too little evidence for the introduction, but Cr Quach said he was comfortable with the result of previous studies in other areas.
The council report recommending the introduction of paid parking conceded at least 90 per cent of respondents to a survey on the proposal were negative.
An online Star Weekly poll found more than 95 per cent of respondents against the proposal.
Pay parking in Yarraville will 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 and the Simpson Street off-street car park.
The motion by Cr Nam Quach removed the Canterbury Street car park from the original proposal.
Yarraville traders have vowed to fight the proposal tooth and nail and have started a legal “war chest” to fund the fight.
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