Police are investigating the vandalism of Yarraville’s new parking meters just hours after their installation.
Seventeen meters have being installed this week at a cost of about $120,000, but vandals have attacked a number of the machines with superglue, rendering them inoperable.
The attack has attracted a strong response on social media, with many comments supportive of the attacks but a number of others critical of the cost to ratepayers.
Maribyrnong Council chief executive Stephen Wall said council still expects the parking meters to be operational Friday in line with the rollout plan.
“We understand a number of parking meters have been damaged and these are currently being repaired,” he said.
“Damaging parking meters (or any other form of public infrastructure) is criminal damage and Council has reported the vandalism to Victoria Police for investigation.”
Mr Wall said routine security patrols will be stepped up in Yarraville in the wake of the attacks.
Parking throughout the centre of the village is to cost $1.80 per hour from 8am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, with expected revenue to council coffers of more than $200,000 per year.
Council parking officers will conduct routine patrols and additional officers will be in Yarraville when the parking machines begin operating to help motorists adjust to the new parking conditions.
“Motorists who attempt to use a meter that is non-operational should report the fault by sending an SMS with their car registration details to the parking hotline written on the meter itself,” Mr Wall said.
The Council did not respond to questions about the cost of repairs.
