Residents and traders furious at Maribyrnong council’s bid to roll out paid parking are taking their frustration to the streets.
Protesters will march from Yarraville to Seddon early next month as part of their campaign to resist parking meters in Yarraville and Seddon.
Traders argue the introduction of paid parking will drive customers from the area, but Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles believes the proposal has merit.
The protest plan follows the collection of more than 1000 signatures on an online petition against paid parking.
Yarraville resident Stuart Martin said any pressure on parking was coming not from shoppers but from excessive development.
“Paid parking around the village is going to push people down into residential streets where they will be trying to park on top of the people already parking because new developments don’t have enough spaces,” he said.
“This is a grab for ratepayers’ money. Council is meant to do the bidding of the residents and the ratepayers. They say residents and traders want this when they clearly don’t.”
Maribyrnong council currently collects $3.5 million a year from paid parking.
A report to the council states the business case for redevelopment of Footscray’s Little Saigon precinct partly relies on expanding paid parking in Footscray.
Cr Miles said it was important to note the Yarraville-Seddon proposal was still out for public consultation.
“There’s always going to be some angst among traders when you’re talking about paid parking, as there was in Footscray when it was introduced,” he said.
“I often hear from traders in Footscray asking why they’re the only ones with ticket machines in the area.
“I think there are some traders who do realise the benefits of paid parking. It’s proven that paid parking increases the turnover of vehicles and therefore increases customers.”
Public submissions are open until September 23 and the matter will go before council on October 14.
The street protest is planned for October 11.
