Maribyrnong council has defended its strict parking permit policy after a Footscray family claimed it faces being split by inflexible restrictions.
The policy limits to two the number of permits available for any residence in the council-designated ‘Footscray zone’.
Newell Street resident Lauren Beldie says the council’s strict limit means her three children are being forced to park blocks away from home or run the risk of racking up fines for parking without a valid permit.
Their only other alternative, she says, would be to move out of the family home.
Ms Beldie said her three children were of driving age and needed cars to undertake work and study, while she and her husband also needed private transport to reach their work as teachers in western suburbs schools.
“We don’t really have any alternatives; the council hasn’t been helpful at all.”
“The whole street and surrounding streets have parking restrictions,” she said.
“You would really have to park a long way away or my children will have to continually move their cars. We don’t really have any alternatives; the council hasn’t been helpful at all.
“My daughter has already been fined and it will keep happening if they park anywhere around here.”
Ms Beldie said the family was previously entitled to four permits before the number was halved when the council implemented its new residential parking permit policy in 2014.
The rules are aimed at ensuring residents have “a reasonable opportunity to a car parking space in proximity to their premises”, while balancing increased parking demands due to higher-density residential development, a rise in car ownership, more rail commuters seeking all-day parking and higher demand near shopping and activity centres.
Ms Beldie said her family was far from unique, with many people living with their parents longer in the face of high rental and property costs.
“This is a well-documented social phenomenon,” she said.
She said she understood the need for permit guidelines but questioned a lack of flexibility to consider individual circumstances.
No exceptions
Maribyrnong council acting director of planning services Steven Lionakis said there were no exceptions or exemptions to the rules.
“Issuing permits over and above the allowable number would make the policy untenable.”
Mr Lionakis said a review of the policy considered at a December 15 council meeting confirmed the maximum number of permits to be issued per household.
“The number of available permits ensures all residents have a reasonable opportunity, but no guarantee, of a car parking space in proximity to their premises,” he said.
“There may be times when residents have to leave their vehicle a distance away from home but within an unrestricted area to avoid penalties.”
The next policy review is due in June 2017.
